Police are calling on parents and guardians to be vigilant about their children’s activities and strictly monitor who they are spending their time with following concerns about the involvement of juveniles in drug-related activities and the potential of children being used as peddlers and pushers.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Chief of Operations (ACP) Livai Driu says as the focus intensifies on known drug suppliers and distributors, children could be targeted to sell drugs as they would be considered to be unlikely suspects.
He says intervention measures such as being fully aware of children’s activities and their group of friends, to picking up a change in behaviour, and friends could assist in keeping children from getting involved in the illicit drug trade.
ACP Driu says recent arrests indicate a shift in peddling areas to popular spots frequented by juveniles and youths, adding the arrests for unlawful possession of illicit drugs involving children are highly linked to children being targeted by suppliers.
The Assistant Commissioner says that while some children may be lured by the opportunity to earn money, the message that needs to be reiterated is the long-term consequences on their education and future.
He has also assured members of the public that concerted efforts are being made throughout the five policing divisions in curbing drugs, and this is a testament to the increase in drug-related offences during the month of July.
He adds collaborative efforts between Police and other stakeholders, such as the Fiji Detector Dog Unit, have led to a number of arrests and seizures of drugs ready for distribution over the past few days.
ACP Driu is pleading with parents and guardians to continue talking to their children about the devastating impacts drugs will have on their young lives, their family, and their future.
