Ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said family is an important element in trying to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and the excessive use of marijuana in Fiji.

Qarase made the statement during his sermon at the Centenary Church in Suva yesterday morning.

He said with 265 cases of HIV/AIDS reported to the Ministry of Health and the use of marijuana by our youths, its a serious matter and stressed that the family is very important in teaching Christian principles.

He said all the communities, vanua and religious organisations should assist the government in these two issues which can affect Fiji's population in 10 to 20 years time like Papua New Guinea, South Africa and Botswana.