Indigenous CommunitiesOn this page: Resources | Projects & Community groups  | Research
Inhalant abuse is an issue in Indigenous communities worldwide including Canada, the United States and Australia and is often linked to areas of poor socio-economic, health, housing and education conditions.
“In particular, petrol sniffing is considered to be a significant issue in many Indigenous communities especially remote communities” (NIAT 2006, p.7).
“In remote Indigenous communities in Australia, petrol sniffing is the most common form of VSM, whereas in urban and regional centres sniffing aerosol paints (‘chroming’) is the preferred form of VSM” (d’Abbs & MacLean 2008, p.13).
Source:
d’Abbs, P & MacLean, S (2008) Volatile substance misuse: a review of interventions, Monograph Series (National Drug Strategy (Australia)), No. 65, Canberra: Australian Government, Dept. of Health and Ageing.[pdf - 781 kB]
National Inhalant Abuse Taskforce (2006), National directions on inhalant abuse, final report. Melbourne: Victorian Government Dept. of Human Services. [pdf - 913 kB]
Resources
Audio
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Aboriginal Resource and development Services (ARDS)
Glue and Petrol sniffing Education Programs
Hear Glue and Petrol Sniffing programs in Yolnu Matha language with some English back translations [website]
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CAYLUS Youth Link-Up Radio
A series of 10 radio programs in English,Pitjantjatjara, Warlpiri, Arrente, Luritja, Western Arrente & Pintubi-Luritja languages [website] |
Books and documents
Stojanovski, Andrew (2010) Dog Ear Cafe: how the Mt Theo program beat the curse of petrol sniffing, Melbourne: Hybrid Publishers
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Cairney S, Fitz J (2008) When boys and men sniff. Darwin: Menzies School of Health Research and Niblock Publishing. [website] |
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Cairney S, Fitz J (2008) When girls and women sniff. Darwin: Menzies School of Health Research and Niblock Publishing. [website] |
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Cairney S, Fitz J (2005) Sniffing and the brain. Darwin: Menzies School of Health Research and Niblock publishishing. [website] |
Victoria. Dept. of Health. (n.d.) Information kit - About Inhalant misuse [website]
Information booklets for the Koori community and community drug and alcohol workers about inhalants
The public health bush book (2002) Section 1 Overview of major drugs – Petrol. [website]
"The Northern Territory Public Health Bush Book is a valuable resource of two volumes, for those who work in remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. It is written by those who have worked in and with remote community health care teams".
Brady, Maggie (1992), Heavy Metal: the social meaning of petrol sniffing in Australia, Canberra: Aboriginal Studies Press
Central Australian Rural Practitioners Association (CARPA) guidelines. [pdf -73 kB]
see section 3 - Mental health and drug problems - Petrol sniffing
Video
Department of Health & Ageing (2007). Strong Voices Documentary [website]
Websites
Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet [website]
Indigenous Inhalant misuse (including petrol sniffing)
“This web resource is one component of the efforts required to improve the information and knowledge base necessary for the formulation of committed, long-term strategies and policies addressing the misuse of petrol and other inhalants among Indigenous peoples. In aiming to provide access to good quality information and resources for people involved in addressing the misuse of inhalants among Indigenous peoples, this web resource will include: reviews; guidelines; resources; programs, projects and lessons; policies and strategies; publications; and links. It will also include information about research activity, funding opportunities, organisations, agencies and individuals working in the field, news and events and training programs.”
Projects and Community Groups
Mt Theo : Warlpiri Youth Development Program [website]
"Since 1993, the Mt Theo Program has dedicated itself to developing strength, health, meaningful pathways and leadership in Warlpiri youth. The sustainable, and notable, success of the program is based on the support, strength and character of Warlpiri youth and their communities, and the outstanding dedication of its staff. The program was created by and for Warlpiri people, and is governed by a Committee of 62 Warlpiri people. The program is based out of Yuendumu Community."
CAAPS : VSA Program [website]
The VSA (Volatile Substance Abuse) Program is an eight-week program offering a therapeutic approach to volatile substance users. The program focuses on health issues, counselling, support structures, future goals, life skills and recreational/relaxation activities. The program is designed to identify individual strengths through enjoyable activities, such as music, art, rock climbing, walking, riding and swimming. The program also includes education, provision of life skills, group and individual counseling and advocacy. We aim to assist clients in a safe and supportive environment.
Central Australian Youth Link-Up Service (CAYLUS) [website]
CAYLUS (Central Australian Youth Link-Up Service) is a Commonwealth funded youth wellbeing project that has been dealing with inhalant abuse in Central Austraila since 2002. We have experience and information we are happy to share on issues such as supply reduction strategies for petrol and other inhalants, demand reduction strategies from short term projects answering high need situations to long term regional youth development programs, community based and outstation rehabilitation service support, community education and partnership programs, media strategies, advocacy in relation to policy development, casework, support for legislation development and implementation.
CAYLUS are happy to be contacted for further information. You can reach them on (08) 8951 4236
CAYLUS Resources
Responsible sale of solvents [pdf - 7 MB]
Flow chart [pdf - 129 kB]
Store fact sheet [pdf - 81 kB]
Volatile substances cartoon [pdf- 2MB]
VSM Prevention Initiatives -poster [pdf-395 kB]
Youth Link-Up Newsletter - October [ pdf- 5 MB]
Also available (contact CAYLUS or the NIIS to see these resources)
Staff training PowerPoint
Contractors and volatile substances pamphlet
BushMob Inc. - Alice Springs [website]
BushMob Inc. are an independent organisation that have been working with inhalant and other drug affected high risk youth in Alice Springs since 1999. They run a small residential drug stabilisation and treatment facilty for youth aged between 12-18. In addition to this BushMob also have Intensive Outreach Case Management and Bush Adventure Therapy programs in both Alice Springs town camps and remote areas. Other programs include a media program - BushMob Media, and a peer and mentor program - StrongMob.
Petrol Sniffing Prevention Program (PSPP) [website]
Managed by the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) the key components of the Petrol Sniffing Prevention Program are:
* Supply of subsidised Opal fuel to Indigenous communities, roadhouses, petrol stations and other relevant fuel outlets.
* Communication activities, aimed at supporting the promotion and implementation of the PSPP as well as the government approach to petrol sniffing.
* Information resources related to Opal fuel and petrol sniffing in general.
* Treatment and respite monitoring. These services will be provided in conjunction with the relevant States and Territories.
* Data collection.
* Evaluation of the PSPP.
Research
Menzies School of Health Research
Neurocognitive and social changes associated with unleaded petrol sniffing and abstinence from further sniffing
{page last updated: 6 August 2012}
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