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Illicit drug use in rural and remote Indigenous communities
- Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice, no. 322
- ISBN 1 921185 16 3 ; ISSN 0817-8542
- Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, August 2006
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Abstract
There has been considerable media coverage recently of inhalant misuse by Indigenous young people in remote Australia. However, this misuse must be understood within a wider context of other drug use. Funded by the National Law Enforcement Research Fund and initiated by police concerned about illicit drug use, the study summarised in this paper has highlighted widespread and often heavy use of cannabis and increasing signs of amphetamine use by Indigenous people in rural and remote communities. While alcohol abuse remains a primary concern, illicit drug use is also impacting on individuals and communities, with quite distinct problems clearly identified in isolated settlements. There are particular challenges for police involved in preventing the supply of drugs and helping communities reduce drug related harms. There is also a demonstrable need for more drug specific services, especially diversion and treatment programs.
Related links
- Report: The policing implications of cannabis, amphetamine and other illicit drug use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Report: Good practice framework : policing illicit drugs in rural and remote local communities
- Project information: Research into the policing implications of illicit drug use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Subjects: Illicit drugs and alcohol | Indigenous justice in Australia | Drugs and alcohol in rural communities
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