Indigenous Spiritual Wellbeing Toolbox

History

Before European settlement, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people cultivated, traded and used a range of substances, including Pituri, a nicotine based substance. Strict traditional laws controlled who, where and when these substances were used.

After settlement, tobacco was used to ‘pay’ Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander workers. This has contributed to a higher than mainstream proportion of modern day Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander tobacco smokers.

Drinking alcohol was illegal for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples until the 1970s. Before this, grog was drunk quickly in large quantities, and in groups, to avoid being caught. This has shaped modern-day drinking habits.

Petrol sniffing in remote communities began after the Second World War and increased in the 1970s and 80s. Glue and solvent sniffing is more common in urban centres.

There was almost no use of illegal drugs until about 40 years ago, then a very rapid increase in use to the present.

Current context

Present grog and drug issues for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people differ from mainstream Australia. Grog and drug issues also differ between urban, rural and remote settings.

Rates of illegal drug use are at least twice as high as mainstream Australia.

Current context

Grog use for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people is less than mainstream Australia. This debunks the commonly held racial stereotypes of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. However, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders who do drink are much more likely to do so at harmful rates.

Grog and drug misuse are the cause and consequence of many of the social problems facing Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people including:

• poor health
• domestic violence
• unemployment
• incarceration
• poverty.

AOD sector

The 'National Drug Strategy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' Complementary Action Plan (2003 -2009)', provides a framework for the AOD sector which addresses the different issues faced by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait islander people.

It can successfully change recreational behaviours, although often it is not successful for those with serious grog and drug use or dependency issues. Find out more information by visiting the National Drug Strategy website.

It is widely recognised that grog and drug issues are caused by social and economic disadvantage. Effective programs therefore need to take a ‘health promotion’ approach and be long-term and adequately supported.

The philosophy of effective AOD work in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities is ‘holistic', recognising the Indigenous notion of health as physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Successful organisations tackling grog and drug issues have been community driven, employed local workers and responded to the particular needs of the community.

Some communities have introduced measures to control the supply of alcohol and petrol. These have had varied success.