Substance use and misuse
The Australian Government is determined to reduce the harm caused by substance use and misuse in Indigenous communities.
The consequences of substance use and misuse for an individual can be devastating, such as poor parenting, neglect of children, violence, imprisonment and sexual abuse. Alcohol and tobacco use are significant contributors to the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
The Australian Government is developing strong law and order policies that are targeting issues of supply and availability of harmful substances, and efforts are in place to support families and communities in addressing substance issues as well as preventing substance use through education and diversionary programmes.
Outcomes
- In 2006–07 research indicates that the rollout of Opal fuel has been extremely successful, with some reports estimating that petrol sniffing has been reduced by up to 95.0% across central Australia.
- In 2004–05 the substances most commonly used were marijuana (22.5%), amphetamines (7.3%) and non-medical analgesics/sedatives (6.0%).
- 28.0% of Indigenous adults living in non-remote areas reported illicit substance use in the previous 12 months. This was similar to that reported in 2002.
Key programmes
Petrol Sniffing Prevention Programme
The Petrol Sniffing Prevention Programme is a Department of Health and Ageing initiative that aims to reduce the incidence and impact of petrol sniffing in remote communities through the rollout of non-sniffable Opal fuel.
Evidence is revealing that Opal fuel is having a positive impact in remote communities.
The rollout of Opal fuel is one element in the Australian Government's Petrol Sniffing Strategy, a whole-of-government eight-point plan to address petrol sniffing in designated regions of Australia. Under the strategy, the department also has responsibility for communication activities, treatment and rehabilitation services in the regions where the strategy is being implemented.
Funding for new and expanded treatment and rehabilitation services in designated regions is being provided through a Council of Australian Governments initiative addressing violence and abuse in Indigenous communities.
A recent report by Nganampa Health Council found that in October 2006 there had been an 80% reduction in the number of petrol sniffers on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands since the introduction of Opal fuel. A follow-up survey in May 2007 found a further 50% reduction in the number of petrol sniffers since October 2006.
The Department of Health and Ageing commissioned James Cook University to collect ongoing baseline data on the prevalence and effects of petrol sniffing. The study has collected data from 74 Indigenous communities across the country receiving or scheduled to receive Opal fuel.
Expenditure 2006–07: $6.277 million.
Outputs 2006–07:
- an additional 42 sites commenced supplying Opal fuel, which included 16 communities, 17 service stations, six supporting organisations and three pastoral properties
- in March 2007 all 11 service stations in Alice Springs replaced regular unleaded petrol with Opal fuel
- in 2006–07 the total number of sites supplying Opal fuel was 103, including 71 communities, 29 service stations and three pastoral properties.
Tough on Drugs Indigenous Communities Initiative
The Australian Government implements a range of funding agreements under the Tough on Drugs Indigenous Communities Initiative, to help Indigenous communities develop local solutions to issues that contribute to violence, such as alcohol and drug abuse. Projects funded under this initiative address key areas for action identified in the National Drug Strategy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples complementary action plan 2003–2009 (CAP) endorsed by the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy (MCDS). The MCDS supported a number of priority activities specifically relating to the implementation of the CAP. These activities are the:
- implementation of a national smoking cessation programme for Indigenous communities
- development of an Indigenous alcohol management programme
- improvement of Indigenous data collection
- improvement of outcomes for Indigenous communities as a result of the policing response to illicit drugs and other substances.
A review was completed in August 2006 to measure the overall effectiveness, efficiency and appropriateness of the initiative. The review found that projects have contributed to substantial gains in a number of areas, particularly workforce development, the development of quality evidence-based and culturally-secure resources, and partnerships amongst different sectors and stakeholder groups. The funding supports and enhances the whole-of-government approach to Indigenous affairs, where relations between government and communities are governed by the principle of ‘shared responsibility'.
Expenditure 2006–07: $3.8 million.
Outputs 2006–07:
- 15 projects were funded.