f) Measures to protect children from substance abuse Fiji has a Substance Advisory Council (SAAC) under the Ministry of Education. Its role is to create a health-conscious society where individuals make wise choices about their health and well-being and where the use and abuse of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and other addictive substances pose no threat to the happiness, progress and prosperity of the people of Fiji. Over the last decade the key drugs of concern in Fiji have been repeatedly identified as cannabis, alcohol, yaqona(kava) and tobacco. Fiji’s Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004 is an adaptation of the Regional Model Law on the Control of Illicit Drugs. The Ministry of Education also has a policy on and Substance Abuse in ‘Drugs Schools’ which emphasis the prohibition of the possession, consumption, promotion, distribution or sale of all drugs including alcohol, tobacco and marijuana on school premises. Section 91 (b) of the prohibits the Employment Relations Promulgation “use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities for the production and trafficking of drugs as defined in the relevant International Treaties”. The Illicit Drugs Control Act in section 5 also provides that it is an offence for a person to supply posses and produce illicit drugs. The penalties are severe and can be up to a fine of $1,000,000 and/or life imprisonment. g) Measures to ensure the protection of children with incarcerated parents and children living in prison with mothers Fiji’s only prison is in Suva and allows mothers to keep their young children with them when incarcerated. This encourages continuity of breastfeeding and mother/child bonding. If children have no other family and are unable to live with their mother in prison the children will become the responsibility of the MoSW who will place them in care for as long as required. 2a) Social Security and Child care services and facilities Financial hardship care and protection: There is increasing concern in the rise of – single parent households headed primarily by women. One-fifth of all poor households are headed by a single person. Children in poor households may be denied many of the things they need for optimal development such as school costs, medical care, and a reasonable place to live. Many health problems are caused by poor sanitation and water supply. Ten percent of all births are to single women. The relationship between single motherhood and financial hardship is evident. There have been reports of
f) Measures to protect children from substance abuse Fiji has a Substance Advisory Council (SAAC) under the Ministry of Education. Its role is to create a health-conscious society where individuals make wise choices about their health and well-being and where the use and abuse of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and other addictive substances pose no threat to the happiness, progress and prosperity of the people of Fiji. Over the last decade the key drugs of concern in Fiji have been repeatedly identified as cannabis, alcohol, yaqona(kava) and tobacco. Fiji’s Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004 is an adaptation of the Regional Model Law on the Control of Illicit Drugs. The Ministry of Education also has a policy on ‘Drugs and Substance Abuse in Schools’ which emphasis the prohibition of the possession, consumption, promotion, distribution or sale of all drugs including alcohol, tobacco and marijuana on school premises. Section 91 (b) of the Employment Relations Promulgation prohibits the “use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities for the production and trafficking of drugs as defined in the relevant International Treaties”. The Illicit Drugs Control Act in section 5 also provides that it is an offence for a person to supply posses and produce illicit drugs. The penalties are severe and can be up to a fine of $1,000,000 and/or life imprisonment. g) Measures to ensure the protection of children with incarcerated parents and children living in prison with mothers Fiji’s only prison is in Suva and allows mothers to keep their young children with them when incarcerated. This encourages continuity of breastfeeding and mother/child bonding. If children have no other family and are unable to live with their mother in prison the children will become the responsibility of the MoSW who will place them in care for as long as required. 2a) Social Security and Child care services and facilities Financial hardship – care and protection: There is increasing concern in the rise of single parent households headed primarily by women. One-fifth of all poor households are headed by a single person. Children in poor households may be denied many of the things they need for optimal development such as school costs, medical care, and a reasonable place to live. Many health problems are caused by poor sanitation and water supply. Ten percent of all births are to single women. The relationship between single motherhood and financial hardship is evident. There have been reports of
CRC.C.FJI.2-4.docx