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.