rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

2.8 Gaps analysis
Very little information on illicit drug use is
reported. There is a strong focus on alcohol
and it remains unclear whether this reflects
minimal use of other drugs or lack of reporting.
While data for hospital admissions are
available for alcohol-related accidents, it is
uncertain if any testing for other drugs is
routinely undertaken at admission. Testing
is unlikely to be feasible given the limited
number of health personnel in the Islands.
However, as with all of the PICTs included
in this analysis, a number of data sources
already collect information vital for understanding
substance use in the Cook Islands.
If analysed with specific reference to substance
use issues, existing data sources may
be utilised to provide an evolving picture for
some aspects of drug and alcohol issues in
the Cook Islands. The 2008 PDARN delegate
also highlighted a lack of research capacity
and resources (money and human, limited
information sharing, lack of treatment facilities,
and limited government commitment to
addressing issues).
However, the opportunity for new institutional
relationships exists though New
Zealand-based non-government organisations
working specifically with Pacific Island
populations living in New Zealand. A Cook
Islands Maori fact sheet was developed from
SHORE research of Cook Island Maori resident
in New Zealand in 2003. The research
showed high levels of alcohol consumption
and drinking patterns consistent with the
data provided by the Cook Islands Ministry
of Health at the 2008 PDARN Meeting. 192
In 2006, the Alcohol Advisory Council of
New Zealand (ALAC) produced Cook Islands
language guidelines titled Alcohol, Your
Community and You. These guidelines use a
myths and facts approach to consumption
patterns in addition to providing tips for safe
consumption, stories from Cook Islanders, and
detailing the potential legal consequences of
consumption. Finally, the guidelines provide
contact details for services targeted toward all
Pacific Island communities in New Zealand,
in addition to mainstream services. These
guidelines reference culturally specific terms,
e.g. ‘beer schools’, and thus are contributing
to understanding the consumption context.
By way of collaboration, the skills and
experience within New Zealand-based organisations,
particularly Statistics New Zealand,
and their Cook Islands counterparts may be
utilised to address a number of the identified
resource issues. Equally, opportunities may
be provided for Cook Islanders to contribute
to both communities.
45
192 Above, fn.25.
Cook Islands