Issues of students found with drugs to be dealt with heavy-handedly – Gavoka

We may have to do some things that are a bit too heavy-handed which people may question to deal with issues of students found in possession of drugs and on school premises.

This was highlighted by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education Viliame Gavoka when asked by fijivillage News on what the Ministry is doing to address the issue of students found in possession of drugs.

Gavoka says this is now quite a serious issue and they need to get to the bottom of this.

Two 17-year-old students were allegedly found with cocaine and marijuana on the school premises last week in Lautoka and Nausori.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka earlier said that it is a concern not only for schools but also for the nation.

He says a few years ago in Parliament, the opposition raised a question on whether there should be a National Inquiry to combat drugs, which was not taken up by the government at the time.

The Prime Minister says they now have the opportunity to look at it again after discovering those big drug busts in the West.

Rabuka says spot checks should be allowed at schools by checking students’ bags, and he also says we should look at drug tests as well.