Media release

National Council commends petrol sniffing initiative

The Australian National Council on Drugs, the peak advisory body to Government on drug policy, today commended the Federal Government for its allocation of $1 million to a community supported, early intervention & prevention initiative aimed at diverting young, experimental petrol sniffers and those at risk of petrol sniffing.

Major Watters, Chairman of the ANCD commented about the level of community involvement in the Project.

"Research available to the Council reinforces the notion that the best approaches to prevent and reduce sniffing are those that are initiated by the community, supported by the community and involve the community in delivery. For this reason, the Council is pleased to see that the Petrol Sniffing Diversion Project in the Northern Territory involves working collaboratively with individual communities, and the relevant sectors within it", he said.

The Council acknowledges the collaborative approach between Aboriginal communities, health, law enforcement, education and youth affairs in building community capacity and develop local community action plans to address petrol sniffing.

Mr Scott Wilson, the ANCD’s representative on the Northern Territory’s Diversion Reference Group, stated, "A number of Commonwealth-funded projects aimed at addressing petrol sniffing are already under way in Central Australian Aboriginal communities, through the National Illicit Drug Strategy and the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, but resources have been limited. This project is a welcome addition to addressing petrol sniffing and inhalant use, and will contribute to keeping Aboriginal people, particularly young men, out of prisons".

Major Watters continued, "Sniffers are more likely to be young males (between the ages of 8 and 30). This age group represents an important generation and sniffing amongst this group is a significant threat to Aboriginal communities. This strategy recognizes this fact and is a very important step towards addressing petrol and inhalant use".

"Funding of this program from the Federal Government’s Tough on Drugs Diversion Initiative is also very significant. It demonstrates that the Federal Government, with assistance from the ANCD, is aware of the individual issues facing each State and Territory and where possible, is willing to be flexible to meet local needs"

20 February 2001

Further Inquiries to:

Major Brian Watters, Chairman
02 9212 1564 or 0400 780 509

Mr Scott Wilson, ANCD member
0410 419 915

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