Tip of the Ice-berg

TONGAN churches have expressed concern over the increased drug problem in the kingdom – particularly among young people.

Tonga National Council of Churches General Secretary, Rverend Ikani Tolu, said the use of methamphetamines – particularly Ice – was now a matter of serious concern.

“It looks like the problem is getting worse and we need to deal with this immediately,” Tolu told regional church leaders in Suva.

So far this year there have been 84 arrests for drug possession and distribution, with a total of 180 in the 12 months to the end of April.

Tolu appealed for churches throughout the Pacific to address the problem of methamphetamines in their own countries and help Tonga at the same time.

The heads of national councils of churches in Australia, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, the Solomon Islands. Tonga and Vanuatu agreed that the drug problem was a priority in the region.

Pacific Conference of Churches General Secretary, Reverend James Bhagwan, said the TNCC under Tolu would take the lead on addressing substance abuse with the help of national councils and individual churches.

“I understand that the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga sees this (drugs) as a serious problem and hopefully we can discuss how the PCC can support the church and the Anglican community in this area,” he said.

Bhagwan will attend the FWCT Synod in Nuku’alofa next week.