rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Situational analysis of drug and alcohol issues and responses in the Pacific
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ingredient, along with discussions and singing
and the passing on of pride in Tongan
customs. The gatherings are said to be without
violence or disorderly behaviour. 860
There is a fear that alcohol has become a
substitute for kava: ‘kava’s promotion of a
gentle sense of contentment is being replaced
with the violence so often associated
with excessive drinking’. 861 Australian restrictions
allow a traveller to bring in 2 kilograms
of kava, pushing prices up from AU$30 per
kilogram to around AU$200 per kilogram.
The Tongan community proposed a system
for kava club registration through the Tongan
consulate-general, the Australian Government
Department of Health, or another
appropriate group, to allow for control and
approval of the quality and supply of kava
imported to Australia. 862 The argument for
allowing kava rituals to promote traditional
culture and prevent a shift toward increased
alcohol consumption reflects the arguments
in Tonga that increasing Westernisation and
aspirations also increase alcohol consumption.
For other countries in the Pacific, kava
exports are a key contributor to GDP, though
none of the material reviewed for this study
provided such a view for Tonga.
15.5 Local responses
The PDARN delegate from Tonga reported
that the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of
Police, the Tonga Family Health Clinic, the
Salvation Army Alcohol and Drug Awareness
Centre and the National Centre for Women
and Children on Violence are all collecting
drug and alcohol data. 863 A key informant
noted that while the Salvation Army has
capacity to undertake drug and alcohol
research and implement program responses,
the sector remains under-resourced. However,
there is a National Alcohol and Drug
Advisory Board, whose membership includes
the Salvation Army, Red Cross and the Tonga
Family Health Association, which may be a
vehicle to advocate for increased program
funding. 864
Legislation
The main legislation for illicit drug issues is
contained in Acts administered by the Ministry
of Justice, including the Illicit Drugs
Control Act 2003. Other relevant legislation
includes the Drugs and Poisons Act
1988, the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 and
the Methylated Spirits Act 2001. 865 Tonga
is a party to all three international conventions
on illicit drugs. 866 The PIFS-endorsed
860 In Tonga, people are not permitted to enter kava clubs/circles in an intoxicated state.
861 Above, fn.859.
862 Ibid.
863 The authors were unable to determine how the submitted data may be influencing current
programming.
864 Personal communication, 2008.
865 Legislation of Tonga is available at: .
866 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs; 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances; 1988
Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.