Northern Territory AOD Agency Forum report

Northern Territory AOD Agency Forum report

Background

The Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) has determined it will hold a local agency forum, in conjunction with its meeting in each State and Territory. These forums form part of the Councils strategy to fulfil its role of representing the views of non-government and community-based organisations working in the drug and alcohol field.

It should be noted that all the issues raised at the Forums are not necessarily areas that the Council will be able to address. They do however provide an important touchstone for the Council's members.

Northern Territory Alcohol and Other Drug Sector Agency Forum

Approximately 45 people from the Northern Territory drug and alcohol field, including non-government sector, police, corrections and government representatives, attended a forum hosted by the Council at the Novotel Atrium on Thursday, 11 May 2000.

Mr Vumbaca (Executive Officer) gave a brief introduction to the forum and then introduced Major Brian Watters, ANCD Chairman.

Major Watters outlined the role of the Council, its Terms of Reference, the Key Activity and Broader Relationship Areas within the Councils Work Plan. Individual Council members introduced themselves to Forum participants.

Major Watters acknowledged the Larakia people and thanked them for allowing the Council to meet on their land. The Chairman also thanked participants for traveling to the forum, some of whom had traveled from Alice Springs (approximately 1,500 kms) to attend.

The floor was then opened for questions and comments, with discussion facilitated by Mr Vumbaca.

Council members in attendance were:

Major Brian Watters (Chair)
Commissioner Mick Palmer (Deputy Chair)
Professor Margaret Hamilton
Professor Ian Webster
Professor Wayne Hall
Dr Robert Ali
Ms Jude Byrne
Mr Craig Thompson
Mr Arthur Toon
Mr Scott Wilson
Mr Tony Trimingham
Mr Dennis Young
Ms Tonie Miller
Mr Gino Vumbaca (Secretariat)

Ms Karen Price (Secretariat)
Ms Sue Kerr (Department of Health and Aged Care - Advisor)

The following themes were raised and discussed throughout the forum:

Tobacco a major health issue for the Northern Territory. Urge the Council to consider Tobacco and not to forget about it.
Prisons a large percentage of incarcerated Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people in the Northern Territory are imprisoned for an alcohol related offence (reportedly up to 80% of the total ATSI prison population). Tough on Drugs in Prisons was announced with little extra funding attached to it.
The need for a systemic shift in the approach to alcohol issues to empower others to positively influence the drinker. The point was also made that the health of the parents and partners of the drinker is important and of importance to the strengthening of the family unit.
Alcohol is the major disruptive drug in the Northern Territory however the recent Diversion program is directed at illicit drugs only. Is it possible for jurisdictions to employ a different definition to treat underage drinking as an illicit (ie: illegal) drug issue?
When is the next Community Parternships Initiative expected? Although a very popular initiative, many organisations were not successful in gaining funding. Is there a means by which the Council can aid small organisations in particular to write better quality submissions for funding so to improve chances of success?
Aboriginal family unit differs from the generally accepted view (ie: two parents and their children). As the ATSI family is broader, the impact of drug use within families is more marked.
Need for greater support for front-line workers (particularly in rural and remote areas), as many are not employed (volunteers), not working in well structured organizations and/orare supporting drug affected family members. There is also a shortage of skilled staff within the drug and alcohol sector. The Northern Territorys vast distances and small communities means that the impact of drug use on these small communities is enormous, with little support close by. More support is needed.
Poly drug use is very prevalent, with the common denominator being alcohol, in the Northern Territory.
There is no dedicated Youth Service in the Northern Territory for drug affected young people. If an intoxicated young person is picked up by the Night Patrols, the only Youth Refuge in Darwin (Casey House) wont take them.
Competitive Tendering process does little to aid positive networking, improve infrastructural efficiency, or ongoing funding that allows for better planning, staff development needs, etc.
Alcohol is too readily available (for example, in supermarkets, etc) which makes abstinence for alcoholics very difficult.
Morphine is a prescription drug and problematic use is rife in the Northern Territory.
There is no Methadone Maintainance Program in the Northern Territory.
Aboriginals identify other problems such as education, housing and domestic violence above drug use problems, as few identify their drug use as the main problem.
Alcohol action groups are being trailed in Jabiru which are attempting to regulate the supply, reduce the incidence of take-aways and the alcohol content of drinks (eg increased consumption of light beer). There is a concern about the apparent move towards more de-regulation and lobbying the combination of the government and alcohol industry is daunting. The expansion of treatment services needs to be matched by supply reduction initiatives also.
Tertiary institutions need to put more emphasis on alcohol and other drug studies, particularly in light of the need for more trained professionals and specific areas needing particular skills such as youth and womens services.

Karen Price
ANCD Secretariat
16 May 2000

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