The need to strengthen counseling and moral value talks and education in schools is critical in addressing drug and substance abuse, sexual and other behavioral issues that students are confronted with.
    
These are the words of National Substance Abuse Advisory Council Director Misaele Driubalavu who said that more students have been found engaged in drugs and substance use.

Data collected by NSAAC through the School Information and Management System show that the total number of drug and substance use offences was 2439 cases between 2002 to 2007.

The highest number was recorded for cigarette smoking by the students which increased to 320 in 2007 compared to 232 in 2002.

The second on the list was use of alcohol by students which was 26 percent of drug and substance use offences and this increased to 184 in 2007 compared to 92 in 2002.

Meanwhile, other drugs such as marijuana and inhalants were also prevalent in schools accounting for 22 and 26 percent respectively.