| A recent report by
the Northern Territory Coroner on the deaths of three petrol sniffers
at Mutujulu included scathing comments about the lack of action
by the Federal and Northern Territory Governments on petrol sniffing.
The Coroner described Government responses to past Coronial recommendations
as "pathetic", noting that people
"are dying, or becoming brain damaged as we
speak in front of anyone who wants to see. Their problems are
immediate, stark and urgent".
'You can help stop petrol sniffing' postcard to the
PM
There are an estimated 700 petrol sniffers across
central Australia. An immediate and achievable measure to reduce
the incidence and impact of petrol sniffing is the use of the new
Opal unsniffable fuel. But to be effective use of the fuel needs
to be comprehensive across affected regions. The Federal Government
is resisting a comprehensive roll-out even though this would cost
only $10 million - a fraction of the enormous human and health costs
of not acting.
ANTaR and The
Australian Greens have produced a postcard to the Prime Minister
urging him to extend the provision of Opal unsniffable fuel throughout
the Central Deserts region of central Australia. The Northern Territory
Coroner supported the move in his findings:
"Although I do not hold Opal Fuel up as a panacea,
the evidence is there that comprehensive coverage of the region
with unsniffable fuel it is an available strategy which will substantially
reduce petrol sniffing and its associated harms".
The postcard is available through AvantCard's national
distribution network at cafes, cinemas and other venues. But you
can sign the postcard online
here and add your voice in support of this desperately needed
measure.
>>>>>>>>Sign
the postcard here>>
Indication of the urgency of action needed on petrol
sniffing was provided by Central Australian Youth Link-Up (CAYLUS)
Coordinator, Blair McFarland, who reported on 9 October that “Last
week, there were eight attempted suicides in the remote communities
most effected by petrol sniffing".
Senate Inquiry on Petrol Sniffing
On 5 October the Senate agreed to an inquiry by
the Community Affairs References Committee addressing:
- the effectiveness of existing laws and policing with respect
to petrol sniffing in affected Indigenous communities;
- the effectiveness of diversionary initiatives and community
level activities; and
- lessons that can be learned from the success some communities
have had in reducing petrol sniffing including the impact of
non-sniffable Opal petrol.
You can send in a written submission, however brief,
to the committee. For example, the text
of the postcard to the Prime Minister could be used. Additional
information for submissions is provided in the Background Facts
and links below.
>>>>>>>>Send
a submission to:
The Secretary
Senate Community Affairs References Committee
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
The Committee prefers to receive submissions electronically
as an attached document - email: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au
Closing date for the receipt of submissions is 4
November 2005.
Background facts
- Petrol is usually the cheapest drug of choice for young people
in remote communities
Many users have sustained Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and serious
physical disabilities. A few are in full time supported care,
while families, often ageing parents, bear the burden of caring
for others. The cost of care for an individual with permanent
disabilities caused by sniffing is up to $250,000 per year.
- Recent figures in 2004* show that on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara
Lands in the far north-west of South Australia alone, 8.4% of
the population – 222 out of around 2700 - were sniffing
petrol. *(Nganampa Health Council).
- There are at least 600 petrol sniffers in the Central Desert
Region and in some areas up to ten per cent of the population
is sniffing.
- There is a very high level of violence and general dysfunction
amongst petrol sniffers. Sniffing greatly reduces sexual inhibition,
which in turn causes a number of problems including STDs and unplanned
pregnancies.
- A recent evaluation of the COMGAS Scheme found that ‘the
principal factor affecting the supply of petrol to a community
is the proximity of the nearest source.’ (Dpt Health &
Ageing, 2004:33).
- For more information on OPAL go to: http://www.bp.com.au/products/fuels/opal/Opal_factsheet.pdf
Resources
- ANTaR media release ...here>>
- A detailed briefing package
PDF ...here>
- Northern Territory Coroner's Findings
Word ...here>
- CAYLUS submission to the NT Coroner
PDF ...here>
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