As drug cases become a growing threat and disaster in schools and the society, one of the worst cases from last year has been highlighted where a Year 8 student died after he was sniffing glue in a bus on his way to the Suva Bus Stand.
The tin of glue could not be removed from the student’s mouth, and when the student was taken to the hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival.
This has been highlighted by the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Counselor, Vilisimani Rakikau during the Central Division Drug-Free Awareness Campaign who says that another case is a Year 10 student who was not only using marijuana but also abusing glue and due to the level of intoxication, the student lost control and sought help at Saint Giles Hospital, where the condition was identified as a disorder.
Rakikau adds after the treatment, the student was found to have suffered permanent brain damage.
The Counselor urges parents to stay vigilant about what is happening both within and outside school boundaries.
Rakikau also highlighted the importance of parents consistently reminding their children about making good choices, as these decisions will shape their future.
Year 7 student Liam Alexis Dival from Rishikul Primary School has reminded students to prioritise their health and always make good decisions in life. Dival says teachers cannot do everything, and it ultimately depends on students to make their own choices.
The Year 7 prefect also highlighted her dream of becoming an advocate for a drug-free country.
