How alcohol is affecting Pacific communities and what we can do to make positive changes. Pacific Viewpoints panel discusses the issue.

View Pacific Viewpoint EP9 - 2010 here: http://www.tnews.co.nz/TNEWS/PVPEP9-2010.html

Open for comments...

How alcohol is affecting Pacific communities and what we can do to make positive changes. Pacific Viewpoints panel discusses the issue.

View Pacific Viewpoint EP9 - 2010 here: http://www.tnews.co.nz/TNEWS/PVPEP9-2010.html

Open for comments...

Malo ia 'alani tysoni kapau kuo ke liliu masi'i pea malo e fakapotopoto. Kuo mau vakai atu pe kuo fu'u fuoloa ho'o ta'ehopo mai kihe ring pea u 'eke takai holo talamai kuo ke puli koe 'o mali hihihihihihihihihi malo ia masi'i pea 'oku tonu 'aupito ho'o fakakaukau ke 'ai ha finemotu'a ke tau hoholo hifoo 'oku nau tauhi kitautolu. Great programme! I like the CEO and Dr. Foliaki's comments.

'alani ko'eku fanongo atu ki ho'o fo'i vete na,e fai kia setita peau pehe ta he tangata vale lahi koe,'aki 'ae 'uhinga ko'eni taimi na'e totonu keke fkpotopoto ai ke si'i tauhi ho famili ke malu meihe taufa kuo to, pea ke 'alu koe 'o fkvalevale pea hoko mai 'eni 'oke a'u kihe tu'unga ko'ena pea ke toki fkpotopoto koe, koia ai tokoua 'oku ou manatu pe kihe 9ngofulu tupu 'eta fa'a inu mo tuli moa holo 'i loto auck na pea ko'eku fale'i pe 'eni ke 'oua toe tuku ha ivi masi'i 'ai ai leva he kuoke tau'ataina he ngaahi 'ahoni pea koe ta'u lelei 'ena ia ;ete hifo kihe fanga ki'i to'u 'oku toe ki'i fekefeke ange...hahaha ofa atu tokoua pea 'oho ai leva he lotu ke ma'u hata tapuaki.

We need more of this CEO. What a role model he is to us fathers and also other CEO's. Mr. CEO you come across a very caring and down to earth sort of a person. Thank you for sharing your views with us pacific islanders. Now I know there is a place to go to if we need help. I for one an alcoholic. I am not drinking everyday, but I drink far too much when I drink. 'Alani thank you for the testimony, sure it helps. The only question I would like to ask, if I call the helpline, would there be a Tongan or Samoan there to answer my call?

Great progrmme! I wish we have some programmes like this in Tonga to help our people. It is great to see the CEO coming down to our level and explain his department's work. That is awesome! Here in Tonga, its like going to heaven trying to get someone in that position to even to talk us commoners. We all learn something here guys and thank you pacific viewpoint for bringing this important message to our attention.

Kuo fu'u fuoloa fau 'ae pulia mei he paenga ni pea kuo te lele mai kita kuo toe 'iai moe fu'u polokalama fakaonopooni koe viewpoini 'ae pasifiki pea toe fakahoko 'ihe lea fakapapalangi. Malie 'aupito 'ae ngaahi talanga moe ngaahi tala fakakaukau kuo huhua mai ki loto ke fai kiai ha lavelave.

My thoughts are: or may be questions:

What are our pacific churches doing about this problem? Are there any connection to the churches' "kava party" to the misuse of alcohol in this country? I for one know that when we drink kava at night - there hardly anyone goes to work the next morning. For that, I agree to the CEO's comment. "if we can't go to work the next morning - we have a problem with our drinking whether it's drinking beer or spirit or kava party.

What do you think guys? Should our pacific churches re-think about their drinking kava habits or not?

Fakamalo atu 'aupito 'Alani e fakamatala pea kuo te si'i mei tangi aipe kita 'i ho'o fakamatala. 'Ofa atu kia koe moe famili fo'ou kuo fa'u pea 'oua te ke tokanga kiha me'a he koe sitepu lelei 'ena kuo ke kaka kiai koe 'alu kihe lotu pea tuku moe inu kavamalohi. Malo e fakapotopoto.

This programme has provided some helpul information to help us pi people. One of the most important concepts highlighted in this programme is the fact we all need to play a part in helping anyone that needs our help. That is including our churches if they need help. Ipod, I believe there is nothing wrong with bringing our concerns to our church leaders and say to them, what can we do to help our people in this particular area of alcohol and kava. And if this means to cancel the churches' drinking kava to the excess then so be it at least we do something to help our people.

I DON'T THINK WE CAN STOP PEOPLE FROM DRINKING KAVA ANYWAY. WHAT WE CAN DO IS TO EDUCATE THEM THE WAY EUROPEANS EDUCATING THEMSELVES. JUST LIKE THIS PACIFIC VIEWPOINT PROGRAM. THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS PEOPLE CAN GET INFORMATION ABOUT WAYS TO HELP THEMSELVES WHEN NEEDED.

agree! amen!

However, it is not going to be an easy thing to do cos' drinking kava has been around for more than a century and the kava ceremonies has been weaved in to the pacific culture and we can get away from it.

I am so glad this topic is brought to our attention and open broader expression and discussion. With great respect to our Pacific Cultures but there are some aspects of our culture need us to revisit and re-think about their consequencies.

Kava has been consumed as a beverage in the south Pacific for about 3000 years. Now due to technological globalization, kava drinking is spreading as far the United States . Sometime in the late 1990's some consumers in European countries experienced liver problems while taking kava supplements.

I think we need to ask the questions: What are the effects kava will have on us kava drinkers? Or When and what should I feel from drinking kava? Or How much should I drink? The answer to each of these questions is obviously complex and I don't know whether there is any survey regarding the effects of kava or not but sure the effects are great as we see it with our own eyes.

One of the effects kava gives most users is its earthy taste. In my many years of kava drinking I have only come across about 2 dozen people who were not affected by the taste whatsoever. I have even seen a few people that have claimed to like the taste of kava.

There are many varieties of kava in the world. Some yield beverage that is darker or worse tasting than others. Why this bad taste? As far as I am concern, botanists believe that the not so good taste of kava is a natural inhibitor inside the plant that prevents people from abusing it as a substance. Thus far, very few places on earth have ever reported kava abuse problems. In most places where it is consumed on a daily basis still, kava is a very sacred and respected plant. It is possible to put some type of flavoring in the kava to cover up the taste.

In tribal cultures in Vanuatu and Fiji there is no record of trying to flavor the kava. People drink it as is. In all kava drinking cultures kava is drunk in the same manner: 1 shell at a time drank very rapidly.Yes, slam it! These cultures also have something else in common immediately after drinking kava, fruit or some other type of chaser is consumed.

Immediately after drinking a shell of kava, most users report a slight numbness on their tongue and lips. The numbness is due to two local, topical anesthetics that are active ingredients inside of the kava root.

Now, if we drink the kava to excess make no mistake, it will have the same effect as drinking beer and other stronger alcohol.

So my advise to all whom are drinking kava to the excess do not be fooled...wake up and smell the coffee. This is NZ and if we don't work we don't have money and no food on the table for the family. That is the fact of life.

We cannot drag our kava cultures to here and expect to do the same damn thing we did in the islands - that is drinking kava every night, sleep during day time and wake up eat then go to drink more kava... sorry, that is bull sh*t. It's about time we wake up and learn from the palangi.

For our churches, how many times I go to a church kava party! let me tell you guys, it was hell! The swearing, the sexual jokes, dirty jokes are the focal point of these kava ceremonies. So, in my views - it's about time we erase that ceremony from our lives cos' it doesn't do us or anyone any good.

Wow! thank you pacific viewpoint! Just want to let you know I'm one of your fan.
Kava was used throughout Oceania to calm nerves, cause relaxation and sleep, fight fatigue and great SEX. May be this is one of the reasons alot of PI man drink kava ha ha ha !

TALOFA LAVA AND CONGRATULATION PACIFIC VIEWPOINT!

LIKE JONE, I HAVE BEEN A BIG FAN OF PV. I FEEL THEY ARE REPRESENTING MY VIEWS AND OUR PI PEOPLE HERE IN AOTEAROA.

COMING BACK TO THIS TOPIC: ALTHOUGH NO ONE WILL DENY THE VERY FACT WE PI PEOPLE HAVE A BIG PROBLEM IN THIS AREA OF ALCOHOL AND KAVA MISUSE HOWEVER, I'D LIKE TO REINFORCE THE CONCEPT THIS PROGRAMME HAS PRESENTED TO US: "THERE IS WAY TO HELP US FOLKS" AND THAT IS THE HARDEST THING FOR US PI PEOPLE, IS TO ACTUALLY PICK UP DA FONE AND CALL FOR HELP!

I don't think we can actually stop our people from drinking kava but we can help others to be wise about it. Who's duty is it? It is everybody's duty. so, pi people let us look out for one another and show the palangi we can do it. we can help ourselves and create a better society for all of us.

Thank you once again PV. Keep up da good work.

What are the positive and negative effects of alcohol use?

Positive:
In the case of moderate use, alcohol has positive effects. You can get livelier, easier and relaxed. You can talk more easily and feel less tired.

According to some researchers, moderate alcohol use protects against cardiovascular diseases. This means a maximum of 2-3 glasses of wine or beer a day for men, and 1 to 2 glasses a day for women.

Socially, some people claim that it also has positive effects. It provides a lot of employment in the production, catering and retail of products and services in which alcohol plays a part. Also, people claim that alcoholic beverages helps people socialize.

Negative:
Excessive alcohol use increases the risk of a number of diseases: fatty degeneration of the liver, infection of the liver, liver cirrhosis ( More ) , sleeping disorders, sexual problems, infection of the esophagus, infection of the stomach, infection of the pancreas, premature dementia, varying from a reduction of memory to the serious syndrome of Korsakoff; cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx, intestines and breasts; hypertension and heart problems. Alcohol is also damaging during pregnancy. Also alcohol takes its toll in traffic.

Alcohol plays an important role in aggression. 40% of all incidents involving aggression occur while under the influence of alcohol. The police spend 22% of their time on cases involving alcohol. Violence on the streets and domestic violence while under the influence of alcohol happen often.

Also at work, alcohol has big consequences. 13% of all employees on sick leave have alcohol problems. Employees with alcohol problems produce at least 10% less work than their colleagues.

Alcohol can make people irresponsible; for example, getting pregnant in circumstances where they are not able to care for a child.

lol lol lol ha ha ha ha Zone, you dirty mind bro!!!!! need some strong washing powder to wash away the dirt from the mind of yours lol lol lol

I grew up in the island kingdom of Tonga. My parents are church goers and become christians. I was told from young age that I should not touch alcohol because it is NOT good. They told me it is unchristian to drink alcohol and its effect or cosequences are bad. So, I valued that truth in my heart. No, I came to NZ in the 90s and got a job and work. This was a christian based organisation. One day we had a staff cerebration and I was shocked to see wine as part of the menu. Christians drank a glass or two of wine. To my observation, they were not drunk but they had a good time. I asked one of my friends, why are they drinking alcohol, I thought they are christians. My friend told me yes, they are christians but Jesus said it is ok to drink but not get drunk. I struggled with this for a long time and I decided to start taking a glass of wine, and another one and another one and another one! Now I am hooked to alcohol. Should I blame the palangi christians for my alcohol problem or should I just blame myself for not listening to my parents?

ipod, your comment has some truths in it. I think we pacific people can truly relate to your comment however, we can't blame anyone else other from ourselves. We are in a country where we can choose to listen or not to listen. In this case, I think we have enough information available for us to make informed decisions regarding whether to drink alcohol or kava is all up to us. The question we all need to ask is that: what are we going to do about the problems of alcohol we're facing everyday. I like the idea this programme highlighted: Pick up da fone and call the helpline. OR talk to someone you can trust. Hope you find this post helpful.

No wonder all the SETUATA and FAIFEKAU drink lot of kava, It's A
cheaper version of VIAGRA. HA HA HA .

ha ha ha Eagle, you polluted mind! The deacons and Revs. are not drinking viagara they are drinking the kava. ha ha ha don't be caught drinking viagara Eagle!

Your Imperial Majesty QueenA, If it was'nt for humanity mental pollution, I am more than certain that your Highness including me wont be around to ponder the right and wrong of every thought. he he he.

I was born in Tonga in 1957. I was raised by my mother and stepfather, along with two younger brothers and three sisters. I was highly influenced at an early age by peers and my environment, which included alcohol, gangs, poverty and drugs. My family migrated from Tonga to New Zealand in 1973.

By the age of sixteen I was heavily involved in gangs, alcohol and the use of heroin. This resulted in continuous run-ins with the law and the juvenile court system. At seventeen I was arrested for burglary. I told the officers I was eighteen so they would take me as an adult instead of sending me to the youth detention center. I was sent to jail were I wanted to go because most of my friends were there.

At my trial I was sentenced to four to twenty-three months of time to serve and then sent to an eighteen-month drug recovery program. I remained there for ten months and thought I was doing alright until I received a weekend pass with one of my roommates. We went out, got high and I robbed a guy on the streets. I was arrested and sentenced to three to twenty-three months.

In jail I experienced a different culture. People waved at me and said "hello" and "how are you doing?" The young adults in my age group seemed to have it all together. They went to school and worked. So I thought, "When in Rome, do as the Romans." I signed up to attend a technical school, especially since I was fortunate to have my high school diploma. I received it when I was at the drug treatment program.

Hope for a Better Life

So here am I in Mangere Auckland, starting fresh with some hope for a better life. I thought I wouldn't hang out anymore with the druggies, I'll just hangout with the kava drinking mates and sometimes few beers and other alcohol. It didn’t take long before I find myself associating with people involved with drugs and alcohol and all that goes along with that.
Even though I finished school for the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning trade, and married a women who loved me (and still does to this day, even with all I put her through), I found myself heading quickly to an early demise. I will never forget what my wife said to me, she said, drugs and alcohol is a killer! If you don't respect it. It will kill you, me, family, society etc. Now, I am still hoping for a better life.

I watched this episode over and over and over and all I said, I wish I knew there is help available . I didn't know that. However friends if you read this letter please learn from my mistake. Treat alcohol with respect as my ex said and it will respect you. If you don't, it will not respect you or anyone. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say.

MALO MU'A 'A 'ETAU TOE MA'U.......... MOU KATAKI PE KAU LAVE2 HE 'EKU HUNOA MAI 'IHO MOU LOKI HE KOE LOKI PE 'ENI IA 'AE FA'AHINGA NA'E LAVA 'ENAU PENI 'O TOHI MOE KOTE2, PEA 'OKU OU FEINGA PE NA'A LAVA HA FO'I LEA PE 'E TAHA KETE MAHINO'I, PEAU LAU HIFO 'AE TOHI KO'ENI 'A [IT] 'OU MANATU'II 'AE FO'I'AKAU KO'ENA KOE VAIKALA KOAA, HE 'OKU OU FA'A FKTOKANGA'I 'I TALAMAHU 'OKU FKTAU FKFUFUU HOLO AI, HE 'OKU 'IKAI HONO TAIMI KUO 'IKAI KE KEI MA'U HE 'OKU FKTAU KOTOA IA 'EHE KAU PAIPA 'O TAKI AI 'AE TOKEEE, KA KUO 'IAI 'AE PALOPALEMA IA HE NGAAHI 'AHONI, HE KUO TUKU FETULI HOLO 'AE KAU KASITOMA IA MOE KAU FAI FKTAU HE KUO 'IKAI TOE NGAUE 'AE NGAAHI MISINI IA......PEA IKU 'O TAKITAHA HUATU HONAU TAKITAHA MOA IA 'O TOE FKSIO2 HOLO, PEA KOE FKTOKANGA ATU MASI'I IT KEKE FKMAMA'O MEI VAIKALA, PEA TATAU PE MOE KAVATONGA, HE 'OKU OU FANONGO HE 'EMAU FA'A MAMA KAVA 'OKU PALOPALEMA MOIA KIHE FA'AHINGA 'E NI'IHI, 'IHE 'EKU VAKAI ATU KIHE 'ELA MAI 'A 'ALANI TAISONI, 'OKU 'IHE TU'UNGA FKTU'UTAMAKI 'AE FO'I MISINI 'OE TANGATA IA, KAPAU TEKE FANONGO PE KIHE 'ENE TALATALANOA MAI, KA KOE SAI PE IT HE 'OKU KEI 'IAI PE 'AE KUPU 'E TAHA TENE LAVA 'O FKHOKO 'AE FATONGIA.......

wow! wow! wow!. Panel you hit the nail on the head. Let's us all hold our hands together and fight this monster. Yeah! alcohol is a monster. you're right we must treat it with respect. I mean do not abuse it. I guess one or two glasses a week is ok but if you think you can't control it then I guess it's best not to touch the damn thing. Bless you Panel.

MASI'I FOKAI , KUO HOKO A TAISONI KOE TANGATA FOOU, PEA KOE ANGA SI EKU TUI, KUO FOOU AI PE FUU V8 OE PALOFITA. MANATUI KE TALAANGE KIA RASTA KE FAKA SIISII AE INU KAVA , NAA HOKO HA PALOPALEMA KIHE MISINI KULO FA...

MASI'I FOKAI , KUO HOKO A TAISONI KOE TANGATA FOOU, PEA KOE ANGA SI EKU TUI, KUO FOOU AI PE FUU V8 OE PALOFITA. MANATUI KE TALAANGE KIA RASTA KE FAKA SIISII AE INU KAVA , NAA HOKO HA PALOPALEMA KIHE MISINI KULO FA...[IT]


MALO MU'A 'A 'ETAU TOE MA'U........ IT NEONGO 'OKU LELE V8 'AE FO'I MISINI 'A 'ALANI TAISONI,KA KUO TE MANATU KIHE TAIMI NA'E FAI FATONGIA ATU I 'AE KAO KIHE TOKELAU,TAIMI NA'E 'EIKIVAKA AI KOEE 'A TOLATI, KOE TAIMI KOEE KIHE TEU2 FOLAU AI,'OKU TOMU'A FKKOHU EE MISINI MO FKFANA KAE TOKI FUSI E MAEA KAE TUKU2 ATU,PEA KO 'ETAU TANGATA 'OKU 'IKAI TOE KEHE2 MEI HE KAO, KA KOE ME'A MAHU'INGA PE HE KO'ENE LUELUE KOE FUOLOA ATU, 'AIA KO HONO LELEI PE IA,HE KUO FK'ILONGA PE IA HE TAIMI NI, KO'ENA KUO TOE MA'U FAMILI.......... TAU TUKU PE 'A RASTA, HE KOE OUAU PE IA 'OE FAIFEKAU, KOE TALI2 EE KAINGA LOTU MEI HE TANO'AA.... KAE 'OFA PE 'OKU KEI HAO PE 'AE FINEMATU'A UITOU HE POTU SIASI 'OKU FKHOKO FAI FATONGIA ATU AI..... HE KOE MALIE ATU 'AE TU'UNGA 'OKU 'IAI 'AE KI'I KAU FAIFEKAU 'OE KUONGA NI, KO'ENAU FAINGAMALIE PE 'IHA UITOU KUO NAU KI'I PEKE KINAU3, KA 'OKU OU TUI MO FALALA KIHE 'ETAU FAIFEKAU HE KUO MATUOTU'A,PEA MA'U MOE TAUKEI MOE 'OFA HONO FATONGIA KUO UI KIAI KAE MALO IT 'AE LAVE2..........

God will and willingfully help those who's... and want to help themself, that's his promised for all mankind bless you my son!!!!!!

Thank you for sharing your life story Panel. I would not try and cast an advise cos' I know you will be ok. After reading your story I sat down for a while and think about your heart felt story. I was crying when I try to picture all the things you went through and I thought to myself, "it takes a lot of gut to share what you've been sharing and that is the first step to an amazing healing process - then a smile on my face. So, Good on you Panel for stepping out of your problems. You can do it mate! Just try and hang around with some good friends and you will be ok.