A Drug and Alcohol Awareness Program for Tonga's high schools run by the Salvation Army has been set rolling with a $1,000 donation from the Tonga Women's International Social Club.

The Regional Commander of the Salvation Army, Major Rex Johnson, said this week that the donation would go toward their visiting program for various high schools on Tongatapu and their awareness programs on alcohol and drugs, particularly for young girls.

He said this is what the donor wanted so they will go out to schools and talk to young people on the dangers and problems caused by alcohol and drugs.

Dorothy Bryce Fauonuku the Team Leader at the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Centre said they would start with this new program next week at 'Api Fo'ou College where they will hold a weekly one hour session. They are also waiting on a response from other schools.

She emphasised that Tonga cannot escape the fact that alcohol and drugs are a problem faced by youth today, which is evident in the number of people that are being referred from court for such offences.

"The main problem that we see most is the abuse of alcohol. So our program involves counselling these people and informing them of the dangers of such a habit and hopefully lead them to make the right decisions," said Dorothy.

Sally Shaffer the President of TWISC said they were very pleased to be assisting the Salvation Army on such an important cause and noted that they raised the money through the selling of raffles, information booklets, membership fees and other activities.

She said that TWISC was convinced that the Salvation Army was running good programs.

The women's group has been meeting in Tonga for 23 years and currently has 40 members. Cherie Aho is Vice President.