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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
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.”
Mt Theo-Yuendumu Substance Misuse Program (MYSMAC) [website]
"The Mt Theo Program is the primary organisation responsible for addressing substance misuse in the Warlpiri region. In 1994, as a community response to crisis levels of sniffing in Yuendumu, Mt Theo Outstation was opened. The success of our efforts led to the establishment of the Mt Theo-Yuendumu Substance Misuse Aboriginal Corporation (MYSMAC) in 1998, and the Program is now recognized nationally and internationally as providing an effective and innovative response to substance misuse."
Books
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Cairney S, Fitz J (2008) Sniffing and the brain. Darwin: Menzies School of Health Research and Niblock publishishing. [website] |
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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] |
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
Audio
Aboriginal Resource and Development Service Inc. (ARDS)
Central Australian Youth Link Up Service (CAYLUS)
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Youth Link Up Radio
A series of 10 episodes discussing issues related to inhalant misuse. Spoken in English, Pitjantjatjara, Warlpiri, Arrente and Luritj. [website]
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PDF / Kits
Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (2004) An evaluation of the Comgas Scheme, Canberra: Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing. [pdf - 1.48 MB]
Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (ADAC) SA Inc. (2000) Petrol sniffing and other solvents – a community resource. [website]
Victorian Government Health Information (2008) Information kit - about inhalant abuse, Victoria: Dept. Human Services. [website]
Reports
Australian Government (2010). Combined Australian Government response to two Senate Community Affairs References Committee reports on petrol sniffing in Indigenous communities. Canberra. [pdf - 239 kB]
This document is the Australian government’s response to the 2006 report Beyond petrol sniffing: renewing hope for Indigenous communities and the 2008 report Grasping the opportunity of Opal: assessing the impact of the petrol sniffing strategy; detailing their response to the recommendations made in each report.
Cultural & Indigenous Research Centre Australia. (2010). Research to inform the development of the Youth Diversion Communication Strategy in the East Kimberly and Central Desert Region (CDR). FaHCSIA. [website]
Commissioned by FaHCSIA, this research was conducted to inform future communications strategies and policies aimed at reducing substance abuse in the East Kimberly and Central Desert Region .
FaHCSIA (2010). Approved response to Central Australian Petrol Sniffing Strategy Unit review report. [website]
In 2009, URBIS was commissioned to evaluate the Central Australian Petrol Sniffing Strategy Unit (CAPSSU). This report is the response to that evaluation addressing the recommendations of the original report.
Shaw, G. (2010). Research into legislation relating to petrol sniffing - Executive Summary. FaHCSIA. [website]
This report was commissioned by FaHCSIA following the 2006 Senate Community Affairs References Committee report Beyond petrol sniffing: renewing hope for Indigenous communities. It looks at the impact of jurisdictional legislation related to petrol sniffing.
The Senate. Standing Committee on Community Affairs (2009), Grasping the opportunity of Opal: Assessing the impact of the Petrol Sniffing Strategy, Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia [pdf - 1.71 MB]
d'Abbs P and Shaw G (2008), Executive summary of the 'Evaluation of the impact of Opal Fuel', Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing [website]
Australian Government. Dept. of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (2008), Review of the first phase of the Petrol Sniffing Strategy. [website]
The Senate. Community Affairs Committee (2008), Inquiry into petrol sniffing and substance abuse in Central Australia. [website]
The Senate. Community Affairs Reference Committee (2006), Beyond petrol sniffing: renewing hope for Indigenous communities, Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. [pdf - 905 kB]
Northern Territory. Select Committee on Substance Abuse in the Community (2004), Petrol sniffing in remote Northern Territories communities. Darwin: Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory. [pdf - 503 kB]
The Northern Territory Select Committee on Substance Abuse undertook an inquiry regarding substance abuse with specific focus on petrol sniffing in remote Northern Territory communities. The committee looked at all aspects of petrol sniffing including community concerns, current trends, social, economic and health consequences, services currently available, factors directly affecting use and policies and services for prevention & treatment.
Coronial inquests
Inquest into the death of Kunmanara Gibson[2008] Inquest no. 43/2008 [website]
Yalata, South Australia
Findings of: Mark Fredrick Johns, SA Coroner
Keywords: Petrol sniffing, Aboriginal deaths
Inquest into the death of Kenny Malthouse[2008] NTMC 026 [pdf - 154 kB]
Alice Springs/ Hermannsburg
Findings of: Mr Greg Cavanagh SM
Keywords: Accidental death by suffocation, petrol sniffing, Opal fuel and inherent dangers.
Inquest into the deaths of Kumanjay Presley, Kunmanara Coulthard and Kunmanara Brumby [2005] NTMC 034 [pdf - 123 kB]
Alice Springs
Findings of: Mr Greg Cavanagh SM
Keywords: Petrol sniffing, remote communities.
Inquest into the deaths of Kunmanara Ward, Kunmanara Ken, Kunmanara Ryan and Kunmanara Cooper [2005] [website]
South Australia
Findings of: Wayne Cromwell Chivell
Keywords: Petrol sniffing, suicide and self-harming behaviour.
Inquest into the deaths of Kunmanara Ken, Kunmanara Hunt and Kunmanara Thompson [2002] [website]
South Australia
Findings of: Wayne Cromwell Chivell
Keywords: Petrol sniffing.
Projects and research
Projects
 Amity Community Services -Darwin
Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Indigenous Communities Project 2008-2009
A one year project, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, aimed at reducing the health and social harms associated with volatile substance misuse (VSM) in the Top End region of the Northern Territory. The purposes of the project are to:
- develop systems and processes that reduce supply and associated harms in the Greater Darwin region;
- increase the capacity of Indigenous communities, in the Darwin region, to reduce the harms and demands of alcohol, drugs and volatile substances; and
- increase the capacity of Amity Community Services and other service providers, individually and collectively, to work with Indigenous communities.
Specifically the project will:
- work with retailers to reduce the supply of volatile substances for misuse;
- advocate and lobby to strengthen Northern Territory legislation relating to VSM;
- collect anecdotal information relating to volatile substance misuse;
- develop inter-agency protocols to respond to VSM for the Darwin region, enhancing a multi-level service delivery contributing to harm minimisation in the Darwin region;
- work in partnership with government departments and other community organisations to increase coordination between services and access for Indigenous communities; and
- work with specific Indigenous communities, and relevant organisations, to increase community strengths and build healthy lifestyles. This may involve facilitating and supporting community initiatives, assisting in the development of community plans and assessments, increasing access to relevant information, and helping with submissions and accessing funding.
For further information on the project please contact Amity Community Services on (08) 8944 6565.
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.
Youth Wellbeing Project -Council for Aboriginal Alcohol Program Service (CAAPS) [website]
This project has four main aims:
- Reduce the incidence of inhalants abuse by youth in the Top End of the Northern Territory.
- Increase the social and emotional well being of communities by promoting awareness and increasing access to health services.
- Provide accredited training for community and other service members to deal with inhalants abuse.
- To work collaboratively with Indigenous communities and other service providers to develop a community approach to tackle inhalants abuse.
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 Australia 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
BP Australia. The talk stopped long ago: Opal fuel
The Opal fuel programme addresses petrol sniffing on 3 levels:
- Deterrents to sniffing
- Diversionary activities
- Development pathways
The Eight Point Plan for the Central Desert Region
The Eight Point Plan was developed as a result of input from communities dealing with petrol sniffing, previous reviews (Comgas Scheme) and several meetings conducted by an Inter-Departmental Committee relating to petrol sniffing in July and August 2005. State, Territory and Commonwealth representatives supported the proposal in September 2005. The aims of the plan are to reduce "the incidence and impact of petrol sniffing in a defined area of Central Australia by addressing the mix of inter-related causes", and to evaluate "the effectiveness of a regional and comprehensive response to petrol sniffing, to help establish whether and how it might usefully be expanded to other regions".
The eight points that make up the plan are:
- Roll-out of unleaded Opal Fuel to affected communities.
- A uniform legal framework across the region dealing with petrol sniffing and mental health.
- Appropriate levels of policing.
- Alternate or diversionary activities for young people
- Activities to strengthen and support communities.
- Rehabilitation and treatment facilities.
- A communication strategy.
- Evaluation.
The government departments involved are Department of Families, Housing, Community Services, and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA). Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA), Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST ; now Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations - DEEWR) and Attorney General's Department (AGD).
Source:
Australian Government. Dept. of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (2008), Review of the first phase of the Petrol Sniffing Strategy. [website]
Research
Neurocognitive and social changes associated with unleaded petrol sniffing and abstinence from further sniffing [website]
Menzies School of Health Research
Previously our research showed in petrol sniffers of nearly 10 years with serious neurological damage, some evidence of brain function recovery after 2 years of abstinence from further sniffing.
Here we are following up the same sniffers who have now not sniffed for nearly 15 years to determine if there was further recovery in the long term. We will also find out what psychological and lifestyle factors affected long term recovery or sustained impairment among these ex-sniffers.
The aim of this work is to determine what happens to the brain functions in the long term after heavy petrol sniffing and also determine positive and negative impacts on brain function for petrol sniffers to assist the treatment and intervention of current petrol sniffers.
Jara Pirrjirdi Suicide Prevention Project [website]
National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology
Project overview
This project is an evaluation of the Jaru Pirrjirdi Project, which is a part of the Mt Theo-Yuendumu Substance Misuse Program (MYSMAC). The Jaru Pirrjirdi Project serves as a significant mechanism for the empowerment of young adults aged 17-25 within Yuendumu community. The project aims to develop them as young community leaders, in turn preventing suicide and substance misuse, especially petrol sniffing. The evaluation will measure and evaluate the processes and the overall effectiveness of the Program model.
Community groups
Mt Theo-Yuendumu Substance Misuse Program (MYSMAC) [website]
"The Mt Theo Program is the primary organisation responsible for addressing substance misuse in the Warlpiri region. In 1994, as a community response to crisis levels of sniffing in Yuendumu, Mt Theo Outstation was opened. The success of our efforts led to the establishment of the Mt Theo-Yuendumu Substance Misuse Aboriginal Corporation (MYSMAC) in 1998, and the Program is now recognized nationally and internationally as providing an effective and innovative response to substance misuse."
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.
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 Australia 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
If you have a project you would like us to add to this page please email us
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{page updated: 1 July 2010}
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