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 Salvation Army
Friday 22 March 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Friday 31 May 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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”. Unfortunately, the services they provide at present "don't reach those desperately needing help".
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Thursday 7 July 2016
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Salvation Army marked 30 years of service in Tonga with celebrations held under a theme ‘Arise, March, Shine!’, from July 1-4 in Nuku’alofa, attended by the Salvation Army's international leader from London, General André Cox and his wife Silvia, the World President for Women’s Ministries.
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Wednesday 15 January 2014
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Nuku‘alofa, Tonga.
The Salvation Army has launched an appeal for funds to meet the educational needs of children in Tonga affected by Cyclone Ian, one of the most powerful storms on record.
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Wednesday 12 March 2008
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
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