'Working together for a Drug Free Tonga' theme for two day National Symposium for Oct. 6-7 [1]
Tuesday, September 21, 2021 - 19:00
HM King Tupou VI will open a two-day National Symposium on Illicit Drugs on October 6, aimed to develop a way forward in Tonga's fight against illicit drugs.
Held under a theme of 'Working together for a Drug Free Tonga', this is the first symposium hosted by an Action Plan Committee on Illicit Drugs.
Three years ago at the opening of Parliament in 2018, King Tupou VI stated that the greatest challenge for Tonga is illicit drugs.
In October 2019, Cabinet adopted the National Illicit Drugs Policy (NIDP). An Action Plan Committee on Illicit Drugs was apponted to implement a national action plan.
The Acting Commissioner of Police, Lord Fielakepa, as chairman of the committee said, "Aside from the global pandemic of COVID-19, illicit drugs remain a great challenge for Tonga and the region. We must step up our collective efforts locally and regionally to combat this grave issue."
Tonga Police Drug Enforcement Taskforce ADC Halatoa Taufa said, “saving our children and communities from the serious harm caused by illicit drugs demands our whole country to help, and this symposium will be a great forum to hear views and work together.
“Policing is only a part of a whole system required to combat illicit drugs,” he said.
Presenters are expected to speak on three strategies under the National Illicit Drugs Policy (NIDP) focusing on “Supply Reduction, Demand Reduction and Harm Reduction” with panel discussions.
The symposium will be held at the Taufa’ahau Tupou IV Domestic Wharf and stakeholders and interested parties may register for sessions.
It will bring together stakeholders and public to share knowledge and experiences to promote collaboration and best practises on how Tonga can work together to improve its preparedness and response to the emerging problems caused by illicit drugs.
The Action Plan Committee on Illicit Drugs consists of CEOs from the Prime Minister's Office, Atoorney General's Office, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Justice, Tonga Prisons, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Tonga Police and Tonga Customs.
Tonga Police is the Secretariat.