Evaluating the petrol‐sniffing prevention programs of the Healthy Aboriginal Life Team (HALT)

Abstract

The evaluation of the Healthy Aboriginal LT) petrol-sniffing prevention programs at Yuendumu, Kiniore an; the Pitjantjatjara 'Lands first required a specification of program outcome-which was not changes in the enumerated prevalence of petrol sniffing, but alteration in parental perceptions of the relevance and effectiveness of families' nurturant authority over recalcitrant youngsters. The evaluation then proceeded by a series of interviews with resident or ex-resident adults (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) of Yuendumu, Kintore, Kiwirrkurra, Ernabella, Indulkana and Fregon. Adults articulated their efficacy in different ways in each place. Some favoured the conclusion that HALT had helped them, others clearly identified HALT as an obstacle to or a distraction from the implementation of other preventive and curative community-based action. We discerned a ferment of cultural adjustment in the distribution of authority over children among parents and welfare agencies. We caution against finding in HALT's successes a model procedure for benign interventions into such cultural adjustment. (Awt J Public Health 1992; 16: 387-96) n March 1990, the Menzies School of Health Research was contracted by the Aboriginal andHALT has pursued petrol sniffing prevention work at Yuendumu, Kintore and on the Pitjantjatjara Lands. At Yuendumu it successfully combined with an already developed community concern and helped to give that concern further impetus and focus. Petrol sniffing has been eliminated at Yuendumu. At Kintore (and its neighbouring community, Kiwirrkurra) HALT encouraged early community efforts against petrol sniffing and helped to marginalise but not completely to eliminate the practice. On the Pitjantjatjara Homelands, HALT has not yet made any significant impact on petrol sniffmg. though it has recruited and helped certain individuals at ErnabeUa who will be an important pan of any drive against sniFfing there.'

Pressing need for more evidence to guide efforts to address substance use among young Indigenous Australians

“…1), of which only eight studies met the inclusion criteria. 9,10,12,[30][31][32][33][34] The studies included for analysis were diverse in the type or nature of the program offered, as well as in the evaluation approach taken (Tables 1, 2). All programs were conducted in remote Australia, most often in the Northern Territory.…”

“…in primary 9,31 or secondary school, 9,10,31 or whole communities 30,32 ). Three studies were evaluations of 'targeted programs' (TP), namely those aimed at young people with a recognised drug or alcohol problem 12,34 or with a legal problem commonly associated with substance misuse. 33 The programs described by the studies were diverse and ranged from school-based drug education, 9,10 to peer support training, 31 to community-wide approaches that combined recreational, cultural or employment activities with supply control.…”

“…structured counselling). Sheehan et al 10 Burns et al 30 Gray et al 31 Lee et al 32 Clough et al 33 Preuss et al 12 Bryce et al 34 30 was included for review although it describes an intervention whose evaluation included individuals up to 32 years of age. This is because the mean age of individuals participating in that program was 21 years.…”

“…In addition, the program was aimed at petrol sniffing, a problem typically concentrated among younger people. Sheehan et al 10 Burns et al 30 Gray et al 31 Lee et al 32 Clough et al 33 Preuss et al 12 Bryce et al 34…”

“…Community requested evaluation Sheehan et al 10 Burns et al 30 Gray et al 31 Lee et al 32 Clough et al 33 Preuss et al 12 Bryce et al 34 Sheehan et al 10 Burns et al 30 Gray et al 31 Lee et al 32 Clough et al 33 Preuss et al 12 Bryce et al 34…”