The unmanaged drugs issue in Tonga is becoming “a new normal”, says Tonga's Head Psychiatrist, Dr. Mapa Puloka, who is seeing illicit drug-related disorders making up 40% of monthly admissions to the psychiatric ward. With mental health impacts skyrocketing, there is no one available to pick up the pieces. From the frontline, both Mapa and the Salvation Army counselor Mele Prescott are lonely voices urging government to establish a drugs rehabilitation center in Tonga, as they see families and communities being broken by the mental health impacts of illicit drugs use. Interview by Katalina Siasau.
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Results for Dr Mapa Puloka
Friday 22 March 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Thursday 23 May 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's drugs problem is on the rise, “like a cancer in the community,” says Psychiatric Specialist, Dr Mapa Puloka, who warns that government is too slow in tackling the epidemic and needs to urgently prioritize more funding before it gets out of hand. He issues a stark prognosis: “If they can’t stop it...what will happen is drug dealers or drug lords will run our government and end up being their puppets because of the power of money.” By Eleanor Gee.
Wednesday 5 August 2015
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
There are many mental health disorders in the community and work is being done to find out the number and offer treatment, the Director of Health Dr Siale 'Akau'ola said today, in thanking donors who have supported the Psychiatric Unit at Tonga's Vaiola Hospital.
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Monday 31 March 2014
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tongan secondary students were warned of drug dealers and the effects of drug use at a lecture held at the Kalofiama 'O Epworth Hall on Friday March 28, in Nuku’alofa.
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Friday 19 April 2013
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s Head Psychiatrist Dr Mapa Puloka says family violence is causing mental health problems in Tonga. “Domestic violence is in some ways similar to incest, it’s a topic that no one wants to talk about….it has come to a point where a lot of Tongans see it as culturally appropriate and tolerate it…we need to talk about it and raise the awareness of the problem,” he said. - By Finau Fonua.
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