Drug users headed to dead-end, warns Ned Cook [1]
Friday, May 31, 2019 - 16:49. Updated on Friday, May 31, 2019 - 19:27.
By Eleanor Gee
Drug users are headed to prison or the cemetery, warns Ned Cook, Team Leader for the Salvation Army Alcohol and Drugs Awareness Centre in Nuku’alofa.
Some people in Tonga are trying drugs out of curiosity, especially methamphetamine, he told Matangi Tonga this week. “But if you keep experimenting with it, the addiction will grab hold of you”.
The future for addicts is abysmal, putting too much pressure on services that are trying to provide treatment in Tonga.
Ned said meth is the most toxic drug he has ever come across.
The Salvation Army is one of a few local organisations dealing with drug problems. They run educational programs for people, referred to them from the courts and probation services, “who have been convicted for both alcohol and/or drugs as well as violence”.
In 2018, 52 people, aged between 16 and 50 years, (49 males and three females) attended the Salvation Army programs.
Many more are coming. Ned said the number of people attending has been “pretty high” over the last three months.
Currently, 26 people are attending programs with another 15 on the waiting list. Three or four of them are self-referrals, he said.
The programs normally run on Monday and Wednesday mornings but another program has been added in the afternoons to meet the demand.
Ned said more people are attending, including mothers who are worried about their sons.
“It’s quite sad to see mothers really concerned.”
But the only assistance he can provide them is some advice and his contact details for their sons to reach him.
He said he can work with people who are willing to be helped and “look at ways to make some changes otherwise they will end up in prison” and “that is not the ending that everybody wants”.
Habitual meth users lose weight and after one or two years lose their teeth. "Meth just wrecks them”.
They can have serious mental issues. "We can’t actually see the brain, unfortunately the brain is getting smashed!".
No Rehabilitation Centre
It's difficult to combat drugs experimentation and drugs adiction in Tonga because there is no rehabilitation centre.
“I think there is a need for a rehab here in Tonga,” said Ned.
The services the Salvation Army provides at present "don't reach those desperately needing help".
"There's a need to improve the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) services we currently offer our people, who are severely suffering from alcohol and other drugs use/misuse.”
Over the last 20 years to date, the Salvation Army has offered educational programs, including life skills such as communication, problem solving, conflict resolution, relationships, relapse prevention, anger regulation and more lately violence prevention, among other issues raised by their clientele.
However, to expand on these services, more resources are desperately needed.
“To provide a detox centre, residential program, day program and an aftercare program as well as a recovery church, and AA meetings, will cost lots of money and manpower we do not have at present.”
This vision includes “trained staff with proper AOD qualifications and passion to work in such an environment”.
The reality is that currently, there are only two full-time staff members (including Ned) and one part-time in ADAC “which is not enough”.
Prisoners and deportees
Despite the lack of resources, Ned says this year, they are looking at reaching out to prisoners and deportees through educational programs.
The majority of deportees that arrive in Tonga annually have spent most of their lives overseas, and they face significant barriers when trying to settle into the community especially if they don’t know the traditions and culture.
Ned believes most of the deportees are “remorseful about what they have done” and would want to make some changes in their lives.
He hopes to one day establish a 10-20 bed place, like a ‘half-way’ house, where people like deportees can stay on arrival, receive the education and treatment they need before living in the community.
Youth
Ned also believes in educational programs for youth and is working on a program for St Andrews High School. He believes the youth in Tonga also need opportunities to get involved in programs that would interest them such as singing, music, and playing sports.
One such program called the Right Choice, which was run by the Salvation Army in the past needs to be revived he said.
“So as you can see, there is a huge job."
Ned is a registered DAPAANZ Counsellor and Supervisor specializing in dealing with people who have problems with Alcohol and Other Drugs as well as prevention of family violence.