Communique

February 2009

In 2004 the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) — which is the principal advisory body to government on drug and alcohol issues and the Federal Government recognized a need for specific and independent advice on Indigenous alcohol and other drugs issues across Australia and the most appropriate and effective approaches to address them.

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 February 2009 meeting in Adelaide, South Australia, NIDAC members discussed the following:

Worker issues in addressing Indigenous alcohol and other drug misuse

The National Centre for Education, Training and Addiction (NCETA) provided an overview of their Indigenous AOD worker well-being study including some preliminary findings from the survey component of the project. The survey had a much higher than expected response rate which indicates that well-being is a concern for workers across Australia. Some of the highlights from the survey to date included:

The demand for appropriate recognition and remuneration,
The need for incentives such as career pathways,
Staff development and workplace support to retain workers,
The concerning drop in worker retention after 2 years,
The recognition that the Indigenous AOD workforce is younger in age compared to the non-Indigenous AOD workforce.

NCETA is further analysing the survey results and will subsequently provide a report to the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

NIDAC welcomes the survey which is the first of its kind in Australia. NIDAC continues to push for greater support and training for workers addressing Indigenous alcohol and other drug misuse and will be developing an Indigenous workforce issues brief to inform key stakeholders in the health workforce.

Over-representation of Indigenous Australians in correctional systems

NIDAC is concerned about the growing over-representation of Indigenous people in Australia’s prisons and juvenile detention centres. A position paper on reducing Indigenous incarceration and improving prisoner health is being finalised and will provide key short term and long term recommendations.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Complementary Action Plan 2003–2009 evaluation

NIDAC provided the Department of Health and Ageing and the consultant conducting the evaluation with input into the National Drug Strategy — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Complementary Action Plan 2003–2009 evaluation.

NIDAC highlighted the need to align the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Complementary Action Plan 2003–2009 measures with other national Indigenous measures and that Indigenous consultation remain a key priority when implementing initiatives and measures.

Opal unleaded fuel in the Northern Territory

The latest results from the Australian Government's rollout of OPAL unleaded fuel in Australia indicate a 70% reduction in petrol sniffing in the communities studied. Opal fuel is now available in Nhulunbuy and Yirrkala in the Northern Territory, along with other initiatives and diversionary activities being implemented.

National Indigenous Representative Advisory Body

NIDAC have encouraged the National Indigenous Representative Body Unit to have strong Indigenous alcohol and drug expertise on the National Indigenous Representative Body.

National Indigenous Law and Justice Committee

NIDAC welcomes the formation of a National Indigenous Law and Justice Advisory Committee by the Attorney General’s Department (AGD) and encourages Indigenous alcohol and drug expertise on the Committee.

For more information on NIDAC www.nidac.org.au or contact the NIDAC Secretariat (02) 6166 9600