Future leaders are affected by drugs, youths should turn to farming for living – Rayalu

Future leaders of the country are affected by drugs and communities should work together to fight this issue before it enters our homes and villages.

This is the message shared by the Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Vatimi Rayalu while speaking to the youths in Narewa Village in Nadi and says that youths should be turning to farming for a living.

According to the statistics provided by the Fiji Police Force, the number of illicit drug cases increased by 42 percent last month, having recorded 188 cases compared to 132 cases for the same period last year.

Of the 188 cases recorded, 181 were related to the unlawful possession of illicit drugs and 7 cases of unlawful cultivation of illicit drugs.

46 cases were related to methamphetamine, one case for cocaine while the remaining 141 cases were linked to marijuana.

Rayalu says the number of cases recorded is alarming and he wants to make it his business to raise awareness about it everywhere he goes to.

He says the Government can’t fight the war against drugs alone, but it is possible through the concerted efforts of every Fijian in the country.

The Minister says everyone must make it their business to be informed of the progress that is happening around us, especially with the escalating drug cases and rise in HIV/AIDS through the sharing of needles.

He informed the youths that the consequences of drugs are devastating.

Rayalu says the country depends on youths to make the right choices because the future of this country is in their hands.

He adds that there is a lot of potential in the land if youths remain focused and work hard.