The misuse of legal drugs and According to selfreported substance use substances and use of illegal drugs can by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander have major negative effects on adults in 2012-13: individuals, families and communities. around half (47 per cent) of adults in _ The use of illicit drugs contributes to non-remote reported having never illness and disease, accidents and used illicit substances, similar to the injury, violence and crime, family and proportions in 200405 and 2008. social disruption, and workplace problems. 23 per cent reported use of illicit substances in the previous 12 months, a decrease from 28 per cent in 2004-05, but not statistically significantly different to 26 per cent in 2002. Things that work OPAL fuel (a low aromatic fuel) was introduced in the NT and WA to reduce petrol sniffing. It has contributed to reductions in associated antisocial behaviour, offending and contact with the criminal justice system. An evaluation in 2008 found that the prevalence of sniffing had declined in 17 out of 20 sample communities (and the number of communities with no petrol sniffing increased from two to nine) (box 11.2.3). 11.3 Juvenile diversions Diversions, such as police cautioning Across jurisdictions, diversion rates for and conferencing, prevent young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from entering or continuing in young people aged 10–17 years are the formal criminal justice system. Data around onehalf to twothirds those for nonIndigenous young people, and have gap Diversions are swift and economically remained relatively unchanged over efficient processes, and can reduce recent years. stigmatisation and contact with other offenders. Nationally comparable data are not currently available.
The misuse of legal drugs and substances and use of illegal drugs can have major negative effects on individuals, families and communities. The use of illicit drugs contributes to illness and disease, accidents and injury, violence and crime, family and social disruption, and workplace problems. _ According to selfreported substance use by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in 2012-13: around half (47 per cent) of adults in non-remote reported having never used illicit substances, similar to the proportions in 200405 and 2008. 23 per cent reported use of illicit substances in the previous 12 months, a decrease from 28 per cent in 2004-05, but not statistically significantly different to 26 per cent in 2002. Things that work OPAL fuel (a low aromatic fuel) was introduced in the NT and WA to reduce petrol sniffing. It has contributed to reductions in associated antisocial behaviour, offending and contact with the criminal justice system. An evaluation in 2008 found that the prevalence of sniffing had declined in 17 out of 20 sample communities (and the number of communities with no petrol sniffing increased from two to nine) (box 11.2.3). 11.3 Juvenile diversions Diversions, such as police cautioning and conferencing, prevent young people from entering or continuing in the formal criminal justice system. Diversions are swift and economically efficient processes, and can reduce stigmatisation and contact with other offenders. Data gap Across jurisdictions, diversion rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 10–17 years are around onehalf to twothirds those for nonIndigenous young people, and have remained relatively unchanged over recent years. Nationally comparable data are not currently available.
00-key-indicators-2014-overview.docx