A new regional initiative aims to combat the increasing drug threat among young people in Fiji and Samoa. Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Tajima has announced that Japan is investing approximately $12 million to support efforts in safeguarding children and adolescents from drug-related risks. This commitment builds on Japan’s prior assistance to Fiji, which included maritime law enforcement training.
The four-year program, facilitated by UNICEF Pacific, is designed to engage thousands of students and at-risk youth across the region. Tajima emphasized that Japan’s support is part of a broader fight against criminal networks that are increasingly targeting Pacific nations. This initiative aligns with Fiji’s National Counter-Narcotics Strategy and the forthcoming Child Justice Act of 2024, aiming to integrate health, education, social welfare, and justice resources.
Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga underscored the need to view children who use drugs not merely as offenders but as vulnerable individuals in need of protection. “Children who are using drugs are not simply offenders. They are children at risk of harm, and those who get involved in drug use may themselves be victims of exploitation,” he stated.
The program is anticipated to make a significant impact, reaching over 150,000 students, supporting 10,000 high-risk adolescents, and training nearly 3,000 frontline workers, including teachers, police, and healthcare professionals. This comprehensive approach aims to create a robust societal defense, ensuring a collaborative effort to protect children from the dangers of drug abuse.
The initiative brings hope not only for better protective measures but also for a shared commitment among nations to secure a safer future for the young population in the Pacific region.