Tonga’s first National Illicit Drugs Policy is set to roll out next month Featured
Representatives from youth groups who took part in the consultation
22 June, 2019. Prominent representatives from government, churches and youth proactively engaged in a two-day meeting to discuss and review the proposed draft of Tonga’s first National Illicit Drugs Policy.
The consultation wrapped up yesterday at Fa’onelua Convention Centre.
The policy aims to build a safe, healthy and resilient Tonga through effective prevention, enhanced enforcement and progressively reducing of illicit drug harm.
It will have a five years lifespan and is set to roll out next month
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) Political Issues Adviser Mr ‘Alifeleti Soakai said, “It was evident from the findings collected during the national consultation process in March, 2019 that the public wants an immediate intervention to reduce the use of illicit drugs in Tonga.”
“This policy requires the whole of government and whole of society involvement in order to address the issue.”
He said the policy has six strategic focus areas which include Supply Reduction and Alternative Development, Demand and Harm Reduction, Improve Coordination and Control, International and Regional Cooperation, Improving Data Collection, Analysis and Information Sharing and Compliance with Human Rights.
- MEIDECC
