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Research into impacts of availability of alcohol and drugs
That with the aim of assisting Aboriginal organisations to develop effective programs aimed at minimising the harm arising from alcohol and other drug use, priority be given by research funding bodies to research investigating the causal relationships between alcohol and other drugs, including their availability, and consequences on community well-being and criminal activity.
The lack of research into these issues, limits opportunities to address these gaps and get funding for much-needed Aboriginal AOD programs and services.
Aboriginal Justice Caucus Assessment
When asked about recent efforts to implement this recommendation, the Department of Health stated that they have not commissioned any comprehensive alcohol related research in relation to Victorian Aboriginal cohorts. We have concerns with the limited response to this recommendation in Victoria, noting that despite having dedicated Aboriginal engagement teams and forums, little work has been done to research alcohol and other drug (AOD) use in Aboriginal communities.
The fact that they haven’t done anything to get proper data sets around this is concerning, especially when people always say it’s such a huge problem in communities. Another thing I want to point out is the lack of culturally appropriate facilities. For example, we were up at Wiimpatja earlier this year, I think it was May, and now that’s not even active. When you look at the number of culturally appropriate services delivering rehab, detox and similar supports, there really aren’t many. (John Gorton, Chairperson, Grampians Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee).
Many Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations funded to deliver AOD support only have alcohol and drug worker positions and lack the funding required to establish clinical services.
We remain concerned about gaps in service access, the absence of Aboriginal-specific detox facilities, the reliance on prisons for detox, and the long travel distances faced by mob from regional communities to access culturally safe rehabilitation services. The lack of research into these issues, limits opportunities to address these gaps and get funding for much-needed Aboriginal AOD programs and services.
Priority for Further Work:
High
Relevance and potential impact | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low (0-2) | Moderate (3-4) | High (5-6) | |||
Extent of action taken and evidence of outcomes | High (5-6) | ||||
Moderate (3-4) | |||||
Low (0-2) | |||||
Potential Actions for Further Work
Strengthen local Aboriginal-led AOD services and data collection
Develop and fund sustainable, Aboriginal-led alcohol and other drug (AOD) services in regional areas with high unmet need, such as the Latrobe Valley. Ensure these services are supported by consistent data collection and evaluation to monitor patterns of use, service access and outcomes.
Background
The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) emphasised that further research was needed to understand the complex inter-relational factors that influence alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among Aboriginal communities. Particularly, the link between AOD and violent crime was complex and unclear, with research bodies often using questionable methodologies to draw connections between the two. Therefore, it is crucial for research bodies to conduct diverse and Aboriginal community-lead research to avoid stigmatisation and misrepresentation of these issues.
Actions Taken Since Last Review
Department of Health
The Department of Health has not commissioned any comprehensive alcohol related research in relation to Victorian Aboriginal cohorts.
Impact
Yoorrook for Transformation – Third Interim Report
Yoorrook’s research found that harmful alcohol and other drug use is often linked to poor mental health and reduced social and emotional wellbeing. Aboriginal people are significantly over-represented in alcohol and other drug treatment services in Victoria, where they make up 10 per cent of all clients. However, this over-representation does not indicate higher rates of use compared to non-Indigenous people; in fact, Aboriginal people are more likely to abstain from alcohol than non-Indigenous Australians.
Yoorrook heard that substance use is closely connected to the historical and ongoing harms of colonisation, with alcohol and other drugs often used to cope with cultural disconnection, intergenerational trauma, and racism. VACCHO explained that the loss of cultural practices, identity, and community support can lead individuals to seek solace in substance use. Despite the need for healing-focused approaches, Yoorrook heard that policy and service responses are often punitive, with alcohol and drug issues contributing to child protection involvement and frequently attracting a police response.
Access to support remains a significant barrier, as mainstream withdrawal and rehabilitation services are not always culturally safe, lack flexibility, and impose restrictions such as limited visiting hours and phone calls. Moreover, for Aboriginal people seeking recovery, wait times of around three months to access a withdrawal centre can mean missing the critical window when support is most needed.
Community Views
Uncle Ross Morgan
Unless people can deal with their underlying trauma, nothing is really going to change. Drugs and alcohol … it’s a way of helping people to deal with their underlying trauma. People turn to drink or drugs as it’s the only way they can cope. There is no opportunity for young people to deal with their traumas and past history.
Bunjilwarra Male Youth Group
You cannot change the past, like the past happened, and now you have to deal with it. But we don’t really have a model of how we deal with it. That’s why we got to drugs and alcohol.