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Almost 100 Indigenous people from the ACT have shared their personal stories of illegal drug use as part of a project that identifies how services could be improved to better address their needs.

The research was carried out between 2001 and 2004 by staff from the Canberra-based Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service and the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH) at The Australian National University.

It was initiated in response to widespread concern, confirmed by a survey of local Aboriginal Elders about rising levels of substance abuse in the community.

Researchers conducted 95 confidential interviews with people aged between 16 and 50 years, covering topics that ranged from drug use history and treatment services to issues around culture, health, education, employment and housing. Aboriginal and non-Indigenous researchers participated in each interview.

"Drug use is a serious problem affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Canberra, Queanbeyan and Yass region," says Winnunga Chief Executive Officer and co-researcher, Ms Julie Tongs.

"There's an estimated 500 Indigenous illegal drug users in the ACT and surrounding region. Among the group we interviewed, the average age they started using drugs was just 14 years, which is a full five years earlier than other Australians.

"That's why it's so important that we listen to their experiences and put in place practical and culturally appropriate strategies to improve the situation."

"What I'm saying could help someone else. That makes me feel good."

A significant number of the people interviewed said that an important step to recovery was learning about their culture, preferably as part of a residential treatment facility; others pointed to the need for Aboriginal staff in treatment services and easy-to-read information about drug and alcohol services.

These findings form the basis of the 22 recommendations included in the final report – I want to be heard – aimed at government agencies and mainstream and Aboriginal service providers.

Key recommendations include the development of cultural education programs for illegal drug users, establishment of an Aboriginal residential treatment centre and halfway house, and Aboriginal involvement in service design and delivery.

The findings from the research are not specific to the ACT and could be applied to other Australian urban Aboriginal communities, said Ms Tongs.

"At Winnunga we live daily with the aftermath of drug abuse. This report provides governments with an insider's view about the sort of help that's needed to assist Indigenous people who are affected by drugs."

She said the research project demonstrated how Aboriginal medical services could work in partnership with academic institutions to achieve great results.

"When the project began, the Winnunga and NCEPH teams got together and worked out issues like how to approach disclosures of sexual abuse, and to learn about mental health first aid and appropriate interviewing techniques. It was a real two-way learning process," said Ms Tongs.

"Also we had great support from a diverse, mainly Aboriginal, reference group, including Elders of the Ngunnawal Community who were involved right from the project's inception," said Dr Phyll Dance from NCEPH.

"We were able to ensure that Elders were always remunerated for their work; and we were able to support Winnunga when staff time was taken up with the research."

According to Ms Tongs, "The project was successful because it had strong backing and input from local people. We worked hard to build their awareness and trust. Counselling and referrals were always provided to participants after they shared their very personal stories with us."

The researchers agree that the completion of the final report is not the end of the issue – it's the beginning of an on-going Action Research process.

"We established strong local partnerships though the course of the project and our recent evaluation has sparked further interest in implementing our recommendations, said Ms Tongs.

"We will continue to work with service providers and policy makers with the aim of ensuring that the voices of the 95 people we interviewed will be heard; and the findings of our research will be implemented."

The study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council under a special National Illicit Drugs Strategy funding round.

Community guide

I want to be heard has been published as an easy-to-read community guide designed by the research participants themselves. Designed for community support groups, health agencies and the families and friends of drug users, it features:

• the stories of interviewees
• Stolen Generations and racism issues
• a summary of the report’s findings and recommendations
• emergency First Aid procedures
• a description of treatment services
• contact details for service providers

The community report was produced with funding from the ACT Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health with publishing in-kind by The Australian National University. Download the report (PDF).

Find out more

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service
Phone: 02 6284 6222
Website: www.winnunga.org.au/research.htm