Communique

May 2009

As part of its commitment to provide high level advice to government, the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) auspices the National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee (NIDAC). NIDAC comprises members from non-government and government organisations with specialist expertise and knowledge who provide advice to government on ways to address drug and alcohol misuse amongst Indigenous Australians.

NIDAC also gains valuable feedback from people working to address Indigenous alcohol and other drug issues across Australia.

At its May 2009 meeting in Adelaide, South Australia, NIDAC members received presentations on:

Indigenous prisoner mental health project “Inside Out” by Ms Kimina Anderson — Queensland Health
The Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association by Ms Yvonne Clark

NIDAC members discussed the following:

Indigenous Prisoner Health

The increasing rate of Indigenous incarceration has been an ongoing concern of NIDAC’s. The strong links between harmful alcohol and drug use and offending are a cause for concern especially for the health and well being of Indigenous families and their communities.

To inform government on how this can be addressed, NIDAC has developed a position paper “Bridges and Barriers: Indigenous incarceration and health” which will be launched on June 25th at Parliament House, Canberra.

Australia’s 1st National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Conference

In response to demand from consultation forums across Australia, NIDAC will be conducting the first National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Conference “Listening, Learning and Leading” on 9th – 11th June 2010 at the Adelaide Convention Centre, South Australia. This is an opportunity for Indigenous Australians to lead the way by showcasing meaningful and practical tools, best practices and knowledge.

Worker issues in addressing Indigenous alcohol and other drug misuse

NIDAC is developing an Indigenous workforce issues brief to inform key stakeholders in the health workforce. NIDAC would like to see the Indigenous workforce receive greater recognition, support and capacity to deal with the complex Indigenous alcohol and drug issues workers are faced with on a daily basis.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and associated disorders caused by drinking during pregnancy

Although Indigenous Australians on average drink less, they are more likely to engage in risky drinking or drink at harmful levels. NIDAC is concerned the impact this may have, particularly for pregnant mothers and mothers who are breastfeeding. As a result, NIDAC will be developing a paper on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder to inform key Australian Government health bodies.

Expanding Indigenous alcohol, drug and tobacco measures

NIDAC continues to work to expand Indigenous alcohol, drug and tobacco measures and recently provided advice into the measures for the next National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey and the National Drug Strategy Household Survey.

For information on Indigenous specific alcohol and other drug issues, NIDAC priorities and activities www.nidac.org.au

To contact the NIDAC Secretariat (02) 6166 9600 or email nidac@ancd.org.au