21st March, 2019 TONGAN A one-day stakeholder consultation is underway at Tanoa International Dateline Hotel aiming to develop a National Illicit Drugs Strategy to combat against illicit drugs in Tonga. The event was opened by the Honorable Minister for Police, Fire Services and Revenue and Customs Hon Mateni Tapueluelu this morning.
The consultation is a collaboration between the Government of Tonga and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
Hon Tapueluelu said, “The purpose of the National Illicit Drugs Strategy is to identify gaps, capacity issues and integration opportunities in the areas of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, enforcement and underpinned by an objective of reducing the harms associated with illicit drugs.”
He stated that the impact of illicit drugs is widespread and extreme and it is not only a “police problem but rather a “social problem” which highlights the call for cooperation and coordination.
“It stresses the importance of collaboration between government, non-government agencies, the private sector and the community. It is a war that not one ministry can win, nor the government alone. It calls for the country to join together in a coordinated effort to address the issues of illicit drugs in our country and region.”
The consultation is divided into four sessions which include church and community leaders, district and town officers, youth groups, civil society organizations, women groups and the business sectors.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications.