Emerging patterns of cannabis and other substance use in Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory: a study of two communities

Abstract

A recent rise in cannabis use in Indigenous communities in northern Australia may have compounded existing patterns of other substance use. This paper describes these patterns in Arnhem Land in the 'Top End' of the Northern Territory (NT). Economic impacts of the cannabis trade are also described. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, random samples included 336 people (169 males, 167 females) aged 13 - 36 years. Consensus classification of lifetime and current use of cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, kava, inhalants (petrol) and other drugs was derived based on health workers' proxy assessments. A sample (n = 180, aged 13 - 36) was recruited opportunistically for interview. Lifetime cannabis users among those interviewed (n = 131, 81 males, 50 females) described their current cannabis use, usual quantities purchased and consumed, frequency and duration of cannabis use and other substance use. In the random samples, 69% (63 - 75%) of males and 26% (20 - 31%) of females were lifetime cannabis users (OR = 7.4, 4.5 - 12.1, p < 0.001). The proportion of males currently using cannabis was 67% (60 - 73%) while the proportion of females currently using cannabis was 22% (16 - 27%) (OR = 7.9, 4.8 - 13.1, p < 0.001). Current cannabis users were more likely than non-users to be also using alcohol (OR = 10.4, 4.7 - 23.3, p < 0.001), tobacco (OR = 19.0, 7.9 - 45.8, p < 0.001) and to have sniffed petrol (OR = 9.1, 4.6 - 18.0, p < 0.001) but were less likely to be using kava (OR = 0.4, 0.2 - 0.9, p < 0.001). Among those interviewed, higher tobacco consumption in current users and greater alcohol use in lifetime users was associated with increased cannabis use. Action is required to reduce cannabis use, especially in combination with other substances.

Five‐year longitudinal study of cannabis users in three remote Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia

“…Among the Aboriginal population in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory (NT), Australia, a very high prevalence of cannabis use has been documented (72% male, 23% female; aged 13-36 years) [11,12]. In a number of NT Aboriginal communities, cannabis is viewed as a major cause of social disruption [12][13][14][15] and linked with considerable financial burdens [11], acts of violence by users when cannabis supplies are scarce [12,13] and mental disorders including depression [16].…”

“…In a number of NT Aboriginal communities, cannabis is viewed as a major cause of social disruption [12][13][14][15] and linked with considerable financial burdens [11], acts of violence by users when cannabis supplies are scarce [12,13] and mental disorders including depression [16].…”

Towards an Aboriginal Knowledge Place: Cultural Practices as a Pathway to Wellness in the Context of a Tertiary Hospital

“…They include quantitative research targeting demographic risk factors (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2010) and environmental risk factors (Clough et al, 2004;Dingwall & Cairney, 2011;Gault, Krupinski, & Stoller, 1970;Lee et al, 2009;McKendrick et al, 1990) as well as qualitative research focused on social risk factors (Bostock, 1924;Cawte, 1963Cawte, , 1988Eley et al, 2007;Hunter, 1991;Petchkovsky & San Roque, 2002) and clinical practice (Hunter, 1993(Hunter, , 2004Peeters & Kelly, 1999;Turale, 1994;Ypinazar, Margolis, Haswell-Elkins, & Tsey, Indigenist academics strive to add to the knowledge acquired via the Western research paradigm so that policy, practice, and evaluation may be more socially and culturally informed with respect to Indigenous Peoples. Rigney (1999) emphasises the need to liberate Australian Indigenous knowledge from the control, storage, and extraction techniques inherent in the Western academic discourse.…”

An Approach to Treating Depressive and Psychotic Illness in Indigenous Communities

“…Moreover, there is a need to explore new combinations of approaches to understanding and treatment of mental illness in order to develop a therapy that is appropriate to Indigenous people (Kirmayer, Simpson, & Cargo, 2003;McLennan & Khavarpour, 2004;Murray et al, 2002;Roxbee & Wallace, 2003;Trudgen, 2000). The paucity of clinical research into Indigenous-specific relapseprevention interventions is a major concern given the high number of Indigenous hospital admissions for psychiatric illness, and escalating substance misuse, self-harm and suicide rates (Clough et al, 2004;McLennan & Khavarpour, 2004;Nagel, 2005Nagel, , 2006ShuQinLi, Measey, & Parker, 2004).…”