Community report—Perth, WA

Background

The National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee (NIDAC) of the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) has determined that it will hold an alcohol and other drug (AOD) agency forum in conjunction with its meetings. These forums will focus on Indigenous AOD issues. Through these forums NIDAC is able to ensure that the views of a range of stakeholders, e.g. Indigenous organisations, non-government organisations and others that deal with Indigenous AOD issues are considered as part of their drug policy advice. NIDAC has also noted that these forums provide a unique opportunity for open dialogue and contact between the range of AOD agencies servicing Indigenous people.

NIDAC produces a report from each forum which aims to provide a brief description of the issues raised by forum participants. These reports are made available on the ANCD’s internet site to enable forum participants and interested others to access the issues that were discussed. NIDAC also provides a copy of each report to the ANCD, as well as the Premier or Chief Minister and the Minister/s responsible for AOD and Indigenous issues in each jurisdiction, to ensure that the Government is aware of the issues that were raised.

It should also be noted that the issues raised at the forums are not necessarily areas that NIDAC agrees with or is able to address. They do however provide NIDAC members with an important insight into community concerns and perceptions about specific AOD issues. In addition, NIDAC believes that it has an obligation to participants to report the issues and concerns raised in an unfettered manner.

Perth 2006

In excess of 70 people from Western Australia participated in the forum, which was held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Perth on 24 August 2006. The forum participants included representatives from a range of non-government organisations and government departments.

NIDAC’s Chair, Associate Professor Ted Wilkes officially welcomed participants to the forum, explained its purpose, and then introduced the Executive Officer of the ANCD, Mr Gino Vumbaca. Mr Vumbaca gave a brief presentation that:

Explained the history and role of the NIDAC;
Listed the NIDAC membership
Explained the history and role of the ANCD and its position within the National Drug Strategic Framework;
Highlighted some of the projects that the ANCD has commissioned;
Outlined progress under the Tough on Drugs strategy; and
Provided information about a range of AOD issues, in particular those related to Indigenous people.

At the conclusion of his presentation Mr Vumbaca opened the floor for questions or comments about current and emerging AOD issues in Western Australia, with NIDAC members responding where possible. The following issues were raised:

Delays in Indigenous people being able to access residential drug and alcohol withdrawal and rehabilitation services

Delays of up to 4 weeks for Indigenous clients to access residential withdrawal and rehabilitation facilities was raised as an issue of concern by participants at the forum. In response to this concern a government spokesperson provided information on the government’s commitment to streamlining pathways for Indigenous people accessing services in Perth. Participants were informed of a recent initiative commenced at one of the Perth based drug and alcohol services whereby Indigenous specific services had been introduced into existing drug and alcohol services with Indigenous staff being employed to provide these services. This initiative is to be extended to another existing service in Perth in 2007.

Participants were also informed that the government operated withdrawal service has also employed Indigenous staff so as to provide more culturally appropriate withdrawal services.

It was hoped that these initiatives would address the difficulties with access but if the situation continued to exist then participants were encouraged to contact the relevant government department to make them aware of the situation.

Forum participants were also informed that one of the reasons why individuals are being turned away from detoxification services may be because they do not need a full medical detoxification. Only people requiring full medical withdrawal would be eligible for services offered by the withdrawal services. In the instance where people do not require a full medical withdrawal the group was informed that these people may in some cases be able to access residential rehabilitation services directly.

The need to ensure people not requiring a full medical withdrawal were also provided with appropriate information on accessing outpatient withdrawal and home detoxification services was highlighted.

Aboriginal Health Workers

Concern was raised by participants that Aboriginal Health Workers did not have adequate skills to deal with many of the drug and alcohol issues being presented to them. This was despite having received drug and alcohol information as part of their training. It was suggested that the issue was that Aboriginal Health Workers have not been able to consolidate their learning and lacked the confidence in dealing with drug and alcohol issues.

It was suggested by forum participants that these workers may require additional support and training to become competent in dealing with drug and alcohol issues.

It was also noted in the forum that it was important to not over burden workers by expecting them to be able to address all issues for all people as this only led to staff burnout.

HIV/AIDS

Participants expressed concern over the increasing numbers of people contracting HIV in WA and the need to address this situation quickly and effectively. The need for a greater level of information on how this increase in HIV infections was affecting Indigenous communities was highlighted

Indigenous People and the Prison System

A number of concerns were raised by forum participants regarding the situation in the prison system in WA for Indigenous people. These concerns included:

Prisons are increasingly seen by Indigenous people as a better place to be rather than living in the community, particularly as prisons are being identified as a place to have time out from the issues Indigenous people normally face within their communities. It is also seen as a place where they have access to regular meals and medical treatment. However, when they return to their communities they have to face many of the issues that contributed to them being in prison. Indigenous people who have spent time in prison found readjustment to community life difficult as they had often lost support from their families and community because of their previous behaviours.
Another issue raised is the inability of Indigenous people to access half way housing upon release from prison. People released from prisons are often unable to go back home or return to their community. As a result, they have few options on where to live and often return to the lifestyle that led to them offending previously. Forum participants suggested that a greater focus needs to be placed on the re-entry process for Indigenous people from prison back into the community.
Forum participants also spoke of the lack of Indigenous dedicated programs within prisons. It was suggested that these programs had been available in the past but are not presently available.

Assistance for Women and Children

Concern was raised by participants within the forum about the difficulties women and children face and their particular need for additional support, when they seek treatment or other assistance. The need for this additional support for parents was seen as particularly important given recent reports of violence in some Indigenous communities.

Feedback on Initiatives being used by Police

A police representative informed forum participants of the increasing interest of police to develop more effective processes for dealing with people with drug and alcohol issues. Examples highlighted were the use of diversion for minor offenders and the move away from criminalising inhalant users.

Participants were also informed of the good work being done by WA Police. For example one project currently being conducted by WA Police in nine locations includes a whole of community approach and assists in implementing and assisting programs and services aimed at keeping children at school, occupied and busy; and most importantly, away from sniffing.

Employment of Indigenous People

Concern was expressed at the forum about the situation that still exists for Indigenous people living in remote communities. An issue highlighted was the ongoing practice of employing non Indigenous people in Indigenous communities when Indigenous people should be able to do the work themselves.

Another issue raised was the practice of engaging non Aboriginal and non AOD trained people to design programs addressing drug and alcohol issues for Indigenous people. It was felt that this practice resulted in the needs of Indigenous people not being met.

Utilisation of Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) by Indigenous People

It was noted at the forum that there are currently very low numbers of Indigenous people accessing ADIS in WA. The staff at ADIS are seeking information on ways to make this service of seeking assistance relating to drug and alcohol issues more accessible for Indigenous people.

24 August 2006

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