The Chair of the Higher Education Commission Fiji (HECF), Mr. Steve Chand, is looking forward to a structured collaboration with the Fiji Police Force, following commitments of support from the newly sworn-in Minister for Policing, Hon. Ioane Naivalurua. These commitments were made during the Minister’s recent visit to Taveuni as part of his official tour of the island.
During his visit to the Waiyevo Police Station, Hon. Naivalurua, along with Mr. Chand, was warmly welcomed by local police officers and members of the community. In his address, Mr. Chand stressed the critical role that education plays in addressing one of Fiji’s most pressing issues—drug abuse. He highlighted that vulnerable youths, particularly those who have disengaged from the school system, are more likely to become victims of drug abuse.
To combat this issue, the HECF is actively working to establish safety nets at the provincial level, creating more opportunities for access to higher education. This initiative presents an opportunity for the HECF to collaborate with the Police Force in addressing the root causes of drug-related issues.
Minister Naivalurua echoed Mr. Chand’s concerns, emphasizing the pivotal role of the Police Force in leading the fight against drug abuse in Fiji. He described the battle against drugs as a “war” that cannot be won by the police alone, calling for a unified effort from the vanua (traditional communities), the church (lotu), and the broader society. The Minister urged all sectors to work together to address the underlying causes of the drug epidemic and to reduce its impact on communities.
Mr. Chand and Minister Naivalurua have agreed to meet in the near future to further discuss and formalize a partnership between the HECF and the Fiji Police Force, focusing on joint efforts to tackle key issues related to education and drug abuse.
