Life skills training in schools is crucial, says Naivaluua

MP Ioane Naivaluua highlights the crucial need for life skills training in schools to equip young people with tools to resist drugs.

Speaking during the Speaker’s Debate on Drugs, he emphasized that prevention must start early and continue consistently throughout students’ development.

He adds that this will effectively tackle drug use, which often begins during adolescence.

“A review of the most effective programs shows that these are based on life skills training that not only targets drug use, but also equips the child with broader life skills and social resilience. Teaching kids how to say no to drugs, but why to say no to drugs, not just once, but over and over again.”

Naivaluua said an ongoing, structured approach to prevention in schools would help strengthen young people’s ability to make informed, healthy decisions.