A real opportunity to tackle Indigenous substance misuse

Alcohol and drug misuse has a devastating impact amongst Indigenous people. The recently released Northern Territory ‘Little Children are Sacred’ report, links substance misuse with Indigenous child abuse and highlights that “unless alcoholism is conquered there is little point in attending to any of the other worthwhile proposals in this report”.

Associate Professor Ted Wilkes, Chair of the National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee (NIDAC) says “All children have an undeniable right to grow within a safe, secure and positive environment. It is pleasing to hear that the Prime Minister has placed the health, safety and well being of Indigenous families and children in the Northern Territory as a high priority and will be implementing measures to tackle alcohol and drug misuse in an effort to reduce the harm it has caused”.

As the leading voice on Indigenous drug and alcohol policy, NIDAC welcomes the Australian Government effort in taking immediate action and agrees with the need for intervention to address the high prevalence of alcohol misuse in the Northern Territory. The Australian Government is encouraged to work closely and co-operatively with local Indigenous people and to utilise the well deliberated recommendations from the ‘Little Children are Sacred’ report, as well as the existing Northern Territory Government’s Alcohol Framework and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s Complementary Action Plan, as a guide for action. NIDAC also believes that the recently commissioned report on “Identifying Areas of Greatest Need” will provide an important guide on areas where alcohol and drug services are most needed.

Although NIDAC has some reservations about some of the other initiatives being discussed, it supports a comprehensive approach to address the substance misuse problems in Indigenous communities, and is particularly concerned that the following issues are addressed appropriately if alcohol and drug misuse is to be tackled properly:

The underlying determinants of poverty and health.

The introduction of sudden alcohol bans requires contingencies to be put into place to avoid potentially life threatening reactions for those who may suffer alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Many townships and communities in the Northern Territory have already introduced total bans or other restrictions on alcohol. There should be recognition for the efforts of those communities, and partnerships need to be developed to work together to implement local alcohol management plans and other plans to address substance misuse.
Health checks need to be comprehensive and include an alcohol and drug assessment to allow for early intervention and treatment if required.
The need for appropriate Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder screening and assessment.

Associate Professor Wilkes added: ”Increased policing and law enforcement is required however, this needs to be done in consultation with local community leaders to avoid any mistrust. The need to address the demand for alcohol by increasing access to appropriate prevention, treatment and family support services is also needed if long term gains are to be made.”

The NIDAC is the principal advisory body to Government on Indigenous drug and alcohol issues.

PO Box 1552, Canberra ACT 2601