rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Situational analysis of drug and alcohol issues and responses in the Pacific
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Health
As the main drug of concern, alcohol
is included in the Nauru National Non-
Communicable Diseases Action Plan
2007–2012. The plan is consistent with
the objectives of WHO and the SPC, developed
and supported in line with the Pacific
Framework for the Prevention and Control of
Noncommunicable Diseases and the 2008–
2013 Action Plan for the Global Strategy
for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable
Diseases. The plan includes
the development of core and and optimal
strategies for alcohol control. The legislative
strategies listed above are core areas
of work. The optimal strategies include the
development of a national leadership model,
a data collection and analysis system, and
coordination of civil society organisations.
Interventions also include the ongoing development
of a school-based curriculum. 430
Regulation
The negative impact of trade agreements
on the capacity of nations to regulate alcohol
and tobacco imports is well documented
by WHO. In the context of harmful rates
of alcohol consumption, the Government
of Nauru has committed to voting against
trade liberalisation of alcohol under PICTA,
to be renegotiated in 2009.
Non-government organisations
Nauru is a member of the Pacific Islands Association
of NGOs, with the peak representative
body being the Nauru Island Association
of NGOs. Notably, the PDARN delegate reports
there are currently no NGOs operating
in Nauru.
7.6 Australian involvement
Australia has a longstanding relationship
with Nauru as one of the three countries 431
assigned a joint trustee mandate over the
island at the end of World War I. When Japanese
occupation during World War II ended,
Nauru became an Australian trust territory
until it achieved independence. 432 Since the
collapse of the phosphate mining sector,
Australia has maintained an ongoing development
assistance program in Nauru.
Australian Agency for
International Development
Total overseas development assistance
to Nauru for 2008–09 is estimated to be
AU$26.6 million. Of this, AU$15.23 million is
allocated to the country program. Program priorities
include economic reform and management,
improving service delivery and capacity
building. In addition, Australia contributes to
the Nauru Settlement Treaty and discretionary
funding negotiated annually under the
Memorandum of Understanding. 433 As part of
430 Ibid.
431 Britain and New Zealand were the other two countries.
432 Above, fn.418.
433 AusAID, Aid program in Nauru, available at: (accessed April 2009); Australia and Nauru have agreed to
their 5th Memorandum of Understanding for the 2008–09 period.