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interventions, there had been a reduction in petrol sniffing in some communitieswhere it had been prevalent for a long time (see box 8.3.2 for more information).Excessive consumption of kava is a concern in some Indigenous communities, as itcan lead to health problems such as liver damage and malnutrition. Kava can alsohave a negative impact on families and communities. Some Indigenouscommunities have expressed concern that kava consumption is linked to neglectingfamily and community duties, and spending household income on kava instead ofon necessities like food (DHA 2003, DHA 2004, Clough and Jones 2004).Prescription drugs used in combination with other substances such as alcohol cancompound the social, physiological and psychological problems faced by peoplewith a mental illness. Through a consultation process with rural Indigenouscommunities, the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council of SA found that someIndigenous communities were concerned about the misuse of prescription drugs.These communities stated that prescription drugs such as serapax, codeine andpanadeine forte were easily accessible by Indigenous people, and that some doctorsfreely prescribed these drugs (DHA 2003).Box 8.3.2‘Things that work’ — reducing drug and other substance useIntroduction of alternative fuelsThe introduction of alternative fuels with low aromatics in some remote Indigenouscommunities in Central Australia has been successful in reducing the incidence of andharm from petrol sniffing. It is believed that aromatics contained in fuels are what givethe “high” when sniffed. Alternative fuels with low levels of aromatics and other toxicingredients reduce the incidence of sniffing as well as the potential for toxic effectsassociated with both acute and chronic exposure to aromatic compounds. It has alsobeen recommended that to make it effective in the long term, this strategy needs to beintroduced on a regional basis to prevent access to harmful petrol available outsidecommunities. It also needs to be combined with the introduction of sporting andeducational activities in remote communities (LANT 2004).• Since the introduction of Opal fuel in the eleven communities on the AnanguPitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in 2005, the incidence of petrol sniffing on theLands has fallen by 68 per cent. A survey commissioned by Nganampa HealthCouncil identified 70 petrol sniffers in 2006 compared with 222 in 2004 (SAGovernment unpublished).(Continued next page)8.30 OVERCOMINGINDIGENOUSDISADVANTAGE 2007