Detention last resort for child drug offenders, says Acting A-G

Children caught up in Fiji's drug crisis will not be treated as criminals — they will be protected, the Minister for Justice says.

Siromi Turaga made the declaration at the launch of a Japan-funded drug prevention project in Suva, drawing a clear line between how Fiji's justice system will treat child drug offenders versus organised criminal networks.

"Children who are using drugs are not simply offenders — they are children at risk of harm," Mr Turaga said.

"We will not criminalise our children for their vulnerabilities. We will protect them."

Mr Turaga said the government would be tough on traffickers and drug networks, but for children, especially those caught in low-level drug offences, the priority would be getting them help — not locking them up.

"Detentions will always remain a last resort for children," he said.

He said the Child Justice Act 2024 — a law passed last year that promotes keeping children out of court and detention — needed real, practical support to work on the ground, which is exactly what the new project provides.

"A partnership such as this will help translate our laws and strategies into practical support for children, for their families and for the entire community," Mr Turaga said.

He outlined three commitments — strengthening diversion pathways for children, building police and justice capacity to recognise when a child is being exploited rather than acting freely, and improving coordination across health, education, social protection and justice sectors.

"Justice, Social Protection, Children, Education, Health and Community Partners must work as one system around the child," he said.

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