18th August 2016 The Tonga Police in partnership with Tonga Health Promotion Foundation hosted an Intoxication Liquor Act Forum at Fa’onelua Convention Centre today, attended by senior police officers, government officials, stakeholders, civil societies and business owners to address the issues of alcohol harm in Tonga.
Minister of Police, Prisons & Tonga Fire and Emergency Services Hon Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa told the gathering that the forum provided a platform for discussion to ensure people’s safety.
“This is an important move to discuss what we must do to ensure the safety of the people,” he said.
“There are examples that justify the claim that this year is full of challenges. The responsibilities that have been bestowed upon us are very important so that we can address the challenges in the country and earn the people’s trust.”
Tonga’s Police Commissioner Stephen John Caldwell said this workshop would provide more attention on the matter and for people to come together and try to solve the problem.
“So the purpose of this workshop is to increase our understanding of the problems and to work out achievable solutions together; doing nothing is not an option,” he said.
“We must recognize the evidence that much alcohol related harm is preventable. Thus, preventative measures that reduce the level of alcohol consumption is fundamental to any strategy to reduce alcohol related harm.”
“The problem is; Accessibility and Over consumptions – Binge drinking, but enforcement is only one approach.”
Caldwell said he directed the launching of the on-going Operation Safe Streets started on last month to prevent crime and to protect the public with alcohol being its main influence.
“It was in response to the unacceptable level of violent attacks in public places, deaths on the road which had shown a dramatic spike over the months of June and July with 16 deaths (13 road deaths).”
“The central ingredient of this offending was the consumption of alcohol in bars, public places and private homes in Tongatapu.”
“The police on my personal direction will continue to take a tough enforcement stance on drunkenness, criminal behavior and drinking and driving. The Police will not only target the offenders but also the Licensees who choose to serve drunks and underage drinkers.”
Caldwell urged the public to work together in order to prevent and reduce the alcohol related offenses.
“Our communities should feel safe and we need to work together to prevent and reduce alcohol related offending and victimization.”
“This is not a police problem, it is a community problem. It is not a blame game, it is about solutions. We won’t come up with the answers in one day but it is a start to show our concerns and work towards what is best for commitment, safety in the Kingdom of Tonga.”
The one day forum aimed to provide a brief on the provisions of intoxicating Liquor Act (Amendment) 2000, role of the Liquor Licensing Authority and their responsibilities under the Law for the Liquor license holders and a collective strategy to reduce the incidence of alcohol related harm in our communities.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications
