Editorial: Faith meets action as church urges holistic response to drugs

Fiji’s drug crisis has reached a boiling point, and Archbishop Peter Loy Chong’s 2026 Lenten message could not have been timelier.

By dedicating this 40-day season to restoring human dignity and confronting drug abuse, the Archbishop has reminded us that the fight against drugs is both spiritual and societal.

In his homily, Archbishop Chong spoke plainly: “Drugs are a direct threat to the human dignity that God has woven into every one of us.”

His call is not merely symbolic; it is a challenge for families, schools, parishes, and communities to act decisively.

The Church’s plan to run youth workshops across 37 parishes reflects an understanding that awareness alone is insufficient; action must be visible, sustained, and transformative.

The Archbishop’s emphasis on a three-fold response; prevention, suppression, and rehabilitation; underscores the complexity of the crisis. Prevention begins at home, with what he calls a “therapy of love.”

Suppression requires robust laws and vigilant enforcement. Rehabilitation demands compassion, guidance, and opportunities for those struggling with addiction to reclaim their dignity.

This holistic approach is critical. Media reports and statistics continue to highlight the devastating reach of drug abuse across Fiji, threatening not only lives but also the economic stability and social fabric of the nation.

Awareness campaigns are vital, but they must be paired with tangible interventions, coordinated by churches, NGOs, and civil society, to ensure the safety and future of our youth.

Ash Wednesday reminds us that Lent is a time for reflection, transformation, and renewal. Archbishop Chong’s Lenten mission against drugs translates these spiritual principles into urgent, practical action.

It calls on all Fijians to confront this social ill boldly, with conviction, and without delay. Faith, family, and community must unite to protect the next generation and preserve the dignity of every life in Fiji.

The church is leading. Now society must act.