APY Lands

In reply to Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (3 August 2016). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy): The Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse has advised:

The Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA) Substance Misuse service on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (APY Lands) provides a mobile assertive outreach service to Anangu that focuses on harm minimisation, information and education, regular assertive outreach, referral and liaison services.

This includes alcohol and other drug assessments, development of individual and group based treatment interventions, assertive case management, assertive follow up support, referrals to community based programs and specialist residential services.

This service is delivered to individuals, families and groups affected by problematic substance misuse through a client-centred, step up and step down approach. This includes those who identify as ex petrol sniffers as well as those who might relapse back into petrol sniffing or use opportunistically when aromatic fuels are brought into the communities.

The DASSA Substance Misuse service provides appropriate referrals to service providers who deliver disability, youth, and other health and welfare interventions. While some people self-refer, other referrals come from the community, government and non-government community services. DASSA also provides harm minimisation, counselling, education and information by delivering services to community members in their own homes.

DASSA provides information and education into schools and to other APY Lands based service providers in the communities, such as youth specific services and job network providers. DASSA work closely with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, South Australia Police, Nganampa Health, Catholic Care, NPY Women's Council, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion, Housing SA, Country Health SA Local Health Network, APY Lands general business managers and the Anangu community to ensure a co-ordinated response.

Since 2006, and the introduction of Opal fuel there has been a significant reduction in the misuse of petrol on the APY Lands, and in this ten year period there have been an estimated 33 clients (6.8% of total clients) who have identified petrol use as a primary or secondary drug of concern.

With regard to correspondence between Country Health SA and the Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division, departmental staff have investigated this claim and are unaware of correspondence regarding this matter in November 2015.