Pubdate: Sun, 17 Aug 2008
Source: Fiji Times (Fiji)
Copyright: 2008 Fiji Times Limited
Contact:  http://www.fijitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3445
Author: Mereseini Marau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

STUDENTS SLEEP FROM MARIJUANA

A SCHOOL in the hinterlands of Viti Levu is trying its best to curb 
the smoking of marijuana to keep students awake in class.

Navosa Central College principal Jone Malimali said some of his 
students as young as Form One smoked marijuana "although we can't see 
them actively".

He said the problem was such that "before, we used to sweep marijuana 
out of classrooms".

Mr Malimali said that getting the children involved in extra 
curricular activities had helped ease the problem.

"We are trying to get them involved in other things so that they can change."

He said he was aware some of his students still smoked marijuana.

"The symptoms are there, they sleep in school and their exam results 
are very poor.

"They are mostly boys and they often have odd behaviour.

"The worst part is that it drifts right to the primary school 
students." Mr Malimali said the sad part was that marijuana was a 
source of living for most families.

"It's their livelihood, so the children will see it from there.

"And since they are young, they will want to experiment to know 
what's it like smoking marijuana."

Mr Malimali said it was peer pressure.

He said they were working with the community, church and police in 
the Valoma project to eradicate the use of marijuana in Navosa.

Police Commissioner Esala Teleni said a comprehensive strategy would 
be needed to eradicate marijuana from the province.

Mr Teleni said it would take time and needed a national approach to combat it.

Valoma project is an initiative of the vanua, lotu (church) and 
matanitu (government), to help eradicate the use of marijuana in 
Navosa and was proving to be a success.

Outgoing High Court judge Justice Kishor Govind said the use of 
marijuana should not be condoned.

He said marijuana abuse brought about evils which could lead to other 
bigger crimes.

Interim Education Minister Filipe Bole said he was concerned with the 
problems the students were facing but it needed to be confirmed if 
the students were really sleeping in class.
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