Drug Abuse in the Global Village
Drug Abuse in Asia
Tonga

EXTENT, PATTERNS AND TRENDS IN DRUG ABUSE

Extent of Drug Abuse

Cannabis type drugs are reported abused in Tonga. Annual prevalence of abuse is not available (U.N. 1990).

Abuser Characteristics

Cannabis abusers are reported as 17 to 21 year olds. Most abusers are unemployed, particulary the Tongans returning home from USA (U.N. 1990).

Regional Variations

No information reported by 31st December 1993.

Trends

The abuse of cannabis type drugs reported remained stable in 1990 (U.N. 1990).

Mode of intake

Cannabis is reported smoked (U.N. 1990).

COSTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF ABUSE

No information reported by 31st December 1993.

ACTION TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL TREATIES*

Treaty adherence

Tonga is party to the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs as amended by the 1972 Protocol and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances.

NATIONAL RESPONSES TO DRUG ABUSE

National Strategy

No information reported by 31st December 1993.

DEMAND REDUCTION ACTIVITIES

Primary Prevention

Weekly Radio Programmes on drug prevention are aired aimed at the general public. Informal talks are reported held in villages, aimed at parents to influence their children. The results are reported as satisfactory (U.N. 1990).

Treatment and Rehabilitation

No information reported by 31st December 1993.

SUPPLY REDUCTION ACTIVITIES

Arrests, Convictions and types of Offences

No information reported by 31st December 1993.

Seizures

No information reported by 31st December 1993.

Supply Sources of Drugs

No information reported by 31st December 1993.

References and notes

* The Legal, Administrative and Other Action Taken to Implement the International Drug Control Treaties section was prepared by the Secretariat of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs based on Annual Reports Questionnaires for the years .... (not yet received from CND)

U.N. 1990. Reply to the UNDCP Annual Reports Questionnaire for the year 1990.