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Date: November 22, 2024 Fri
Time: 12:00 pm
Time: 12:00 pm
Results for volatile substance misuse
1 results foundAuthor: Karam, Johanna Title: Dignity, diversion, home and hope: a review of interventions for volatile substance misuse in regional North Queensland Summary: Volatile substance misuse (VSM) refers to the practice of deliberately inhaling volatile substances for the purposes of bringing about a change in mental state. Rates of inhalant misuse in Australia are difficult to determine but are generally thought to be increasing (Usher et al. 2005). Whilst there is a growing body of literature about VSM, many papers recognise the lack of empirical research investigating the effectiveness of interventions (Skellington Orr & Shewan 2006; Konghom et al. 2010; Ridenour et al. 2007; Ridenour 2005; NHMRC 2011b; S. J. MacLean & d'Abbs 2011; CCYP 2002; d'Abbs & S. J. MacLean 2008; S. MacLean et al. 2012; NIAT 2006). Research into inhalant use interventions in Australia is dominated by investigations of petrol sniffing and other inhalant use in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities (e.g. Cairney and Dingwall 2010; James 2004; S. J. MacLean and d'Abbs 2002; Midford et al. 2010) or capital cities (e.g. Ogwang et al. 2006; Hancock 2004; Takagi et al. 2010). In the regional cities of Central, North and Far North Queensland, young people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island backgrounds overwhelmingly dominate the statistics of inhalant users. This necessitates a targeted, culturally appropriate place based response, as reflected in Australia's National Drug Strategy Complementary Action Plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy 2006). Outbreaks of inhalant use are often highly localised and spasmodic. The episodic nature of outbreaks means that often place based strategies and responses are the most appropriate (NIAT 2006). Criteria outlined by d'Abbs and MacLean (2008) included 'research and consultation to determine specific features of VSM within the local area' as a specific component of any successful intervention. Examination of interventions and applicability within the regional context was therefore deemed warranted. In April 2012, Cairns based government and non-government agencies participated in a one-day forum, facilitated by state-wide capacity building organisation Dovetail, to discuss regional VSM issues and develop an action plan to improve strategies and collaboration. Following the forum, Youth Empowered Towards Independence (YETI) received funding from the former Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) to undertake a 12-month VSM-CAP (Community and Practice) project to help strengthen interventions and supports for inhalant users in the local area. YETI is a not-for-profit non-government organisation that supports young people aged 10-25 years old residing in Cairns. YETI primarily works with vulnerable young people who are at risk of, or are already engaging in the use of illicit drugs and/or alcohol. Approximately 85 per cent of clients accessing services at YETI identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. YETI recognises the importance of research and evaluation for strengthening collaborative interventions and the documentation of VSM practice responses, which are relevant to the local context. The funding ensured that research and documentation of best practice place-based interventions was able to occur. Aims of the VSM-CAP Project included; direct intervention - to reduce harms associated with VSM in the Cairns region and to provide individual support to young people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background to reconnect with country, family and community, and; coordination and collaboration - to build community systems capacity in relation to responding to inhalant use in Cairns and Far North Queensland. This research constituted the third aim of the project. This research examined current regional VSM interventions and collated qualitative and statistical data to develop evidence-based locally responsive interventions to address VSM. The subsequent report also documents a set of practice principles, which underpin YETI's VSM response within the local context. The project identifies, explores and reports some of the issues associated with inhalant use in regional centres of North and Far North Queensland. Most importantly, the report and the associated project give a voice to the 'grass roots' people at the 'coal face' of sniffing in regional Queensland. That is, the voices of young people engaging in VSM and local place based practitioners who work with them. Details: Canberra: Australian Government, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, 2014. 92p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 20, 2014 at: http://www.dpmc.gov.au/publications/docs/YETI_dignity_diversion_home_hope.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.dpmc.gov.au/publications/docs/YETI_dignity_diversion_home_hope.pdf Shelf Number: 134178 Keywords: At-Risk YouthDrug Abuse and Addiction (Australia)Drug Abuse TreatmentInhalantsSubstance AbuseSubstance Abuse TreatmentVolatile Substance Misuse |