Nimish Deo Singh, a drug addict survivor is urging young people who are selling drugs in Fiji to stop doing it. He claims that many do it for other people.

The 37-year-old Labasa man made the plea during the mental health day celebration at Labasa Hospital last Friday.

He said he would never forget his six years of hardcore drug addiction, suffering from mental health problems and even facing charges before court.

The single father to a seven-year-old child said it was through the support of the Labasa Hospital’s stress management staff, Doctor Fatima, officers from Labasa Police Station and family support that he was now living a normal life.

“I know what it means to end up in the street, being mentally disturbed and having the urge to take drugs,” he said.

“I started my career as a radio announcer, dancer and then officer of the Land Transport Authority before I chose to commit crime.”

Mr Singh is employed at Jim’s My Golden Loaf Bakery. He is the oldest of three siblings.

“I urge you to choose life over drugs like what I did.”

“Even if people are taking drugs and they have this mentality that they can’t get over it, I am telling you that you can because I am a liv- ing testimony.”

He said his son, Joshua Kimish Deo Singh was his motivator and that his parents (Mr and Mrs Jadubhan Singh), sisters (Priya and Joshika), brother-in-law and employer Shah Mohammed Ali saved him from a life in prison.

Mental Health Day celebration co-ordinator and staff nurse of Labasa Hospital Abinesh Prasad thanked Mr Singh for boldness.

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