THE National Substance Abuse Advisory Council organised a four-day peer education training for students from eight different schools in Macuata.
The training ended yesterday at the Nutrition Centre in Labasa and the aim was to inform students about adolescent and reproductive health issues.
Education and health officer Talica Malani said it was imperative for students to attend such training to help them tackle the challenges of life.
"Living a teenage life is difficult because there are temptations and one needs a strong willpower in order to decide right from wrong," Ms Malani said.
"The training is basically to empower these student leaders to become good decision-makers and be agents of change to the other students. We are trying to pass the right message to students so they don't ruin their lives by ending up on the streets or being victims of violence."
Ms Malani said their continuing training was hailed a success in the Northern Division for the past four years because students responded positively towards it.
"Students in the north are very committed to such training and this is a good sign because they will benefit from it if they take heed.
"This is the best time to teach our children as they are still young and it will develop them to become better people," Ms Malani said.