The Messenger- Out come from the alcohol outreach

2016 was rated the highest year for accident caused by alcohol consumption in Tonga from the Police Force Department the statistic up to November 2016 there were (900+ cases report related with alcohol consumption.

Tonga Health and Tonga National Youth Congress, Salvation Army and Tonga Police Force have work together with the alcohol awareness program since September 2016 in doing awareness to villages youth group and different communities group addressing this issues.

“Our main concern is our youth” said Mausa Halahala “So may life’s have been lost due to alcohol. So it is our duty to help our youth not to go down that bath. It is a challenge cause we will do out reach program at a time where alcohol consumption is at it peak, but knowing we will help our youth turn from that path make the challenge more exciting to tackle”.

A very big campaign activities in the month of November and December and January of Alcohol awareness was implement by this stakeholder to tackle the issues in a much more holistic approach target for the most impact on the youth popu- lation around the capital area and main district around Tongatapu.

It could have been done alone- from the Police Department said ’Emaloni Tongi from the Tonga Police Force “the greatest achievement thou is that we are able to work together with three other partner of different specific target group like the youth , young people in huts etc. Not everyone listen to us officer of the law but when they turn from us TNYC and the Salvation Ar- my were there to back us up, conveying the same message.

“I believe that the sudden fall in alcohol consumption and accident have something to do with all the work and the message that we deliver out to the communities” said ’Emaloni Tongi “ So Yes we should continue carrying out the message so that our Tonga may be a safe place for all”.

2017 will be a big year of more awareness focusing on capital area, other social meeting areas like bar and night clubs as well as village youth group and any other group that will show an interest in alcohol awareness activities.