Teen drug use worries PM, calls for action
“It’s the police, the government that polices those things and makes sure that everybody abides by the law and encourages the observance of law in the country,” he added.
Saturday 16 August 2025 | 07:00
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has sounded the alarm over growing public health concerns among Fiji’s youth, linking drug abuse to the spread of HIV and AIDS.
The warning comes after a 14-year-old was admitted to St Giles Psychiatric Hospital following methamphetamine use.
It was later revealed that the child had also contracted HIV.
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Mr Rabuka drew parallels with neighbouring Papua New Guinea, which recently declared an HIV outbreak affecting Indigenous communities.
“Health officials are limited in what they can do. The Government is limited in what we can do,” he said.
“We can try and educate the people to the real dangers and the damages of these practices.”
The Prime Minister stressed that tackling the crisis requires a wider societal response, with coordinated efforts across homes, villages, law enforcement, and health agencies.
“It’s the police, the government that polices those things and makes sure that everybody abides by the law and encourages the observance of law in the country,” he added.
