The Minister for Policing and Communications, Ioane Naivalurua, met with the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, to strengthen school-based advocacy efforts amid growing concerns about drug use among students.
The meeting focused on the need for early, targeted and sustained interventions, including the identification of so-called “red-zone” schools that may require more intensive advocacy and prevention programmes.
Both Ministers agreed that proactive engagement at the school level is crucial in addressing emerging risks faced by young people.
Among the proposals discussed was stronger involvement of the Fiji Police Force in school advocacy programmes, the sharing of daily community policing messages through selected radio platforms, and the use of billboards to reinforce drug-free messaging.
The re-establishment of the Domonivuli programme was also proposed to raise awareness about the dangers of drug use.
The Ministers raised concerns over emerging trends, including students being involved in drug selling, as well as the use of drugs for sports performance enhancement and recreational purposes.
School principals were encouraged to take leadership roles in addressing these challenges, with government schools expected to lead by example.
Other proposals included reviewing the school curriculum to better address drug-related issues, introducing counselling programmes in schools, and strengthening monitoring mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of existing advocacy initiatives.
Both Ministers reaffirmed the importance of a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to guide students towards positive futures and to safeguard the wellbeing of young people across the country.
