Marist drug probe

Marist Brothers High School student was told to change schools while seven others were reprimanded after admitting they had used drugs while dressed in school uniform.

AMinister for Education Rosy Akbar confirmed they had received a report from the boys school in Suva.

“We are aware of the case and we have reported the matter to the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council and they are working with the Juvenile Unit. And we do have

a policy in place that guides our heads of schools,” Ms Akbar said.

The minister said the Police Juvenile Unit was notified and was looking at other aspects of the case such as the possible sale of the drugs by the students within the school. Principal Pene Arapio said the matter was reported to the school and after an internal investigation, the students, who are all juveniles, admitted to the use of the recreational drug, marijuana.

He said no drugs were found on the students because the alleged incident took place outside the school premise, but the students were in their uniforms at the time.

He said the alleged perpetrator had to change schools and the parents notified. The concerned students are being counselled.

According to the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council’s report in 2018, there were 1634 recorded cases of drugs and substance abuse in schools.

417 cases were recorded in primary schools while 1217 in secondary schools.

Suva was the district with the highest number of cases at 434. Of the total cases, 738 involved students smoking cigarettes, 301 were of students sniffing inhalants like glue, while 118 were of students smoking marijuana.

There were 273 cases of students drinking alcohol and 193 of students drinking kava.

There were 11 cases of secondary school students dealing drugs in schools.