Fighting illicit drugs through awareness was the theme of a Law Week held in Nuku'alofa, to tackle an ongoing problem, which has seen more than 300 drugs arrests, since 2018.

The annual initiative held by the Attorney General's Office in partnership with Tonga Police and other relevant agencies held an Open Day on November 20 for students.

Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell, said it is important for police to work together with the communities, to hold those who sell drugs to our people to account and prevent our children becoming addicts.

An Outreach Awareness program led a the Tonga Police Community Safety Team, works together with the Free Wesleyan Church Crisis Centre, the Tonga Youth Congress and the Salvation Army to address concerns, issues and challenges around illicit drugs.

The Tongan Cabinet in October approved a Tonga National Illicit Drugs Policy.

This is an initiative led by Tonga Police in response to the illicit drug problem in Tonga promoting a whole of society approach focusing on Harm Reduction, Supply Reduction and Demand Reduction, he said.

“Illicit drugs is not a problem for police alone, it is everyone’s problem and we must work as a country and communities in a nationally coordinated and planned approach with a focus on prevention.”

Arrests

Since the launch of a Drug Enforcement Taskforce in April 2018, 355 people have been arrested, with the youngest  a 13-year-old boy and the oldest a 61-year-old man.

Police had also seized 42.56 kilograms of methamphetamine, 2.49 kilograms of cocaine, 3.48 kilograms of cannabis, over 40 illegally imported firearms and thousands of illegally imported bullets to date.

The Commissioner commended the Police Drugs Taskforce, Police Community Safety Team and the Attorney General's office, on this initiative and for their strong support and advocacy.  

"We must reach out and educate our young people before they come into contact with drugs, and the harm and negative effects it will have on their future. They are our future and we will fight to protect that future."