[Photo: File]

Opposition MP Virendra Lal is calling for a stronger prevention strategy to stop children and young people from reaching the point where they need rehabilitation for alcohol and substance abuse.

Lal says the government must address the factors exposing children to drugs and alcohol, instead of focusing mainly on treatment after addiction develops.

Responding to a ministerial statement in Parliament, Lal says rehabilitation is important but should only be part of Fiji’s response.

He says prevention must start much earlier, in schools, homes and communities.

“If we concentrate our resources on treating young people after they have become addicted, while failing to address the circumstances that expose them to drugs and alcohol, then we will continue dealing with the consequences rather than the causes. Government must have a much stronger prevention strategy that reaches our schools, homes, settlements, villages and communities before a child becomes another rehabilitation case. The Minister has already correctly identified the importance of parenting and the breakdown of families.”

Lal says the government must examine why more young people are becoming involved in substance abuse.

“This means our response cannot begin when a young person enters a rehabilitation facility. It must begin much earlier, with stronger families, better counselling services, effective school-based intervention and greater cooperation between teachers, parents, health professionals, religious organisations, community leaders and law enforcement agencies.”

Children Minister Sashi Kiran says the government is expanding rehabilitation services.

She says specialised support is also being developed for street-connected children, while transitional and day-service recovery support is being provided through partnerships with the Salvation Army.