21 Feb 2011

Police in Fiji getting tough on glue sniffing

10:41 am on 21 February 2011

Police in Fiji are stepping up measures to stop school children from glue sniffing.

They say teenagers and children as young as nine have been caught sniffing glue which they've bought from shops and supermarkets.

Police spokesman, Atunaisa Sokomuri, says the problem exists in urban areas and has been an on-going issue for sometime.

He says police have begun visiting schools and using television and radio advertisements to warn people of the consequences of glue sniffing.

"Our officers in the Fiji police force have been doing a lot of awareness of the dangers of sniffing glue and we are also relying on other government stakeholders and NGOs to assist us in this fight."

Atunaisa Sokomuri says because the sale of glue is legal, there are currently no penalties against glue sniffing, but it is something police will consider introducing.