Drug And Alcohol Abuse In Remote Communities

Everyday in the news we hear about celebrities affected by drug and alcohol problems. Closer to home, it is highly likely that we all know of someone who has Substance abuse issues, whether it is alcohol, cigarettes, or illicit drugs. These problems also affect those in remote communities, however they are more difficult to treat in these areas due to their isolation and reduced health services.

What is Substance abuse?

The first thing that comes to mind when we hear about Substance abuse is Drug and alcohol abuse. However, Substance abuse covers any substance that the user is dependent on. It is widely reported that in remote communities people are addicted to substances such as petrol, methylated spirits and paint.

Petrol and paint-sniffing are often popular alternatives to other typical substances, as alcohol and drugs are often highly regulated in remote communities. Firstly, illicit drugs are difficult to obtain and come with severe criminal penalties. Secondly, due to serious alcohol abuse issues, some remote communities are ‘dry’ meaning that alcohol is not available in these areas. Even where alcohol is available it can only legally be bought by those 18 years of age or older. Consequently, for people in remote communities petrol and paint are often easier substances to obtain.

How does Drug and alcohol abuse affect Remote Communities?

Remote communities are experiencing higher than average levels of Drug and alcohol abuse problems. People living in remote communities face a myriad of difficulties such as higher levels of unemployment and lower education retention rates. A combination of these factors means that there are also higher levels of welfare dependency in these isolated communities. Many people living in remote communities feel as though they have nothing constructive to occupy their time with, having no job, no school to go to and limited money to spend. Consequently, many pass the time with alcohol, drugs and other substances.

Drug and alcohol abuse can lead to violence and heightened levels of crime, such as assault and theft. Police in remote communities are regularly called to intervene in disputes between people under the influence of drugs and alcohol – not only must they protect innocent victims, but sometimes they also need to protect abusers from harming themselves.

Every weekend emergency centres at hospitals experience a huge influx of binge-drinkers who have been involved in alcohol fuelled violence, car crashes and other accidents. More significantly, a huge burden is placed on the public health system by addicts who are suffering the long-term effects of Substance abuse, such as cancer, brain damage, and diabetes.

Drug and alcohol abuse is not a victimless crime. Its effects extend far beyond the user themselves and influence their family, friends and the community. Increasingly we are witnessing the breakdown of the family unit, as well as a loss of trust within the community generally. This is a particularly pertinent issue for remote communities, where often the majority of the population may be indigenous. It is important for indigenous people to maintain a strong connection to their traditions and customs. However, the severe consequences of Drug and alcohol abuse are resulting in an erosion of cultural identity. If people feel their cultural principles and elders are no longer relevant and being to lose respect for them, then it will be even more difficult to combat these Substance abuse problems.

How Can We Solve these Problems?

The isolation of these communities makes it more difficult to treat these Substance abuse problems. The smaller population of remote communities often means they are under-resourced or unable to even deal with such problems. Current solutions to Drug and alcohol abuse in remote communities include enforcing alcohol bans in some communities, selling only non-addictive paint and petrol, and at a more extreme level staging government enforced interventions.

In combating these problems, it is important to focus not only on prevention, as mentioned above, but also strategies for rehabilitation. Solutions to improve the situation could include establishing Addiction rehab centres within local community health clinics, or training local medical staff under the auspices of an Addiction rehab program. We should also introduce education programs that highlight the damaging effects of Substance abuse, not only health-wise but also for the whole community. It is this emphasis on education that should be promoted rather then merely restricting supply of certain substances. If people begin to understand the harmful consequences of Drug and alcohol abuse then it is more likely to become less culturally acceptable to use such substances.

From a long-term perspective we should also develop strategies that improve school retention rates and employment prospects. It is not only vital to keep kids in school for their own benefit, but when they complete their education and find employment they will be able to contribute to the community. Self-empowerment is perhaps the key to permanently minimising the destructive effects of Substance abuse. If we can encourage the younger generation to find careers and adopt healthier lifestyles then it will set a greater and longer-lasting example for those that follow.

Substance abuse, if ignored, will have fatal effects, not only for these individuals, but also the communities themselves. Already, people are leaving these remote communities every day to find better job opportunities and if too many people leave then there will simply be no community left.

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