Drug usage by students in school compounds slightly increased from 3,041 cases in 2024 to 3,143 cases in 2025, and it is about 1.5 percent of the total number of students.
These statistics were revealed by the Acting CEO of the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council, Josua Naisele, while speaking at the National Talanoa Session on Responding to Illicit Drugs in Fiji: Renewing Commitment Through Action in Lami.
He says there are about 230,000 students across Fiji, and the main target is to ensure that our children do not use drugs. However, surprisingly, the types of drugs and substances that have been commonly used in schools are the legal ones.
Naisele says these are tobacco products which are suki, cigarettes, and vaping products or electronic cigarettes.
He stressed that they have also found that students use these tobacco products because they see it being practised in the community and see it as normal behaviour.
He adds that they have not had any reports of methamphetamine use by students in schools.
Insert: Naisele on students, 26th Feb 2026
Naisele highlighted that they have just reviewed the school HIV management policy, which looks at the safety of students who may be HIV-positive and attending school.
He says they have also reviewed the student code of conduct policy and the child protection policies that protect children when they are in school.
Naisele acknowledged the associations and groups that have been assisting students in this regard and has called on the Vanua and community members to assist in this fight.
He says they can protect students in school by using policies but are concerned about their safety and what they learn when they go out into the community.
