The Issue Of Substance Abuse Within Indigenous Communities

The issue of substance abuse within Indigenous communities is a key contributor for their over-representation in the YJS. For instance, results from the 2002 NATSISS (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey) has indicated the likelihood of being charged for a criminal offence is 3 in 5 for high-risk alcohol users, in comparison to 1 in 4 for non-consumers (Weatherburn et al. 2006, p8). Moreover, the National Drug Strategy Household Survey has found that IY were more likely than NIY to have high-risk alcohol consumption (Juodo 2008, pp9-10). These findings provide a link for the higher rate of IY in the YJS and the government’s initiatives to implement punitive control on Indigenous communities regarding alcohol†¦show more content†¦According to (Hayes et al. 2004, p32), strong values developed in adolescents have indicated lower alcohol abuse and dependence at age 21. Without pre-existing values in IY to avoid alcohol assumption, the enforced rest rictions will not be as effective. Involvement of Indigenous leaders In the NT, 97% of youth in the juvenile detention are IY (Vita 2015, p8). According to Vita (2015, p11), youth in the YJS come from backgrounds of poverty, alcohol abuse, violence and dysfunctional relations; hence higher level of intervention is required for these young people. This report agrees that alcohol abuse and weak family ties contribute to IY’s representation within the YJS, but it argues that forms of interventions should be limited. As mentioned in previous works, early interventions may lead to youth labelled as criminals (McAra McVie 2010, p189; Paternoster and Iovanni 1989, p375). Additionally, previous interventions consisted of the removal of Aboriginal children from their natural families may affect the cultural identity of these youth (ATSIC 2000, p163; Graham 1999, p7 9). 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