New Fuel to Help Prevent Petrol Sniffing

New Fuel to Help Prevent Petrol Sniffing

By Talia Whyte

October 14, 2005 Weekly Indigenous News

In an effort to combat gas sniffing in Aboriginal communities, the Australian government announced on September 13 that it will provide $6 million towards the use of Opal fuel in central desert indigenous communities. Opal fuel contains very low levels of aromatic hydrocarbons, the particles that cause intoxication, and does not cause the inhalant to become high.

An additional $500,000 will help state and local governments prevent the trafficking of petrol into dry communities, and $3 million will be put into diversionary and rehabilitation programs in the Northern Territories, as reported in the New Indigenous Times.

Australia’s rural aboriginal groups have been struck by a petrol sniffing epidemic for generations. Most popular among young men, chronic inhalation of petrol fumes can produce physical ailments, including seizures, tremors, loss of appetite, hyperactivity, unusual behavior and malnutrition.

But the same week the funding plan was announced, the federal government voted against providing Opal fuel for all of Central Australia, as the Labor party had initially proposed.
"It is important that we have a comprehensive strategy on petrol sniffing," said Warren Snowden, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern Australia and Indigenous Affairs in a statement. "If unsniffable petrol is going to be a part of that strategy, it’s no good having gaping holes in its availability."

Indigenous Affairs Minister Amanda Vanstone and Health Minister Tony Abbott, who both signed the plan, agree that Opal fuel is not going to solve the problem. "It is an important part of a bigger solution that involves support programs and community commitment to tackle destructive behavior," they said in a joint press release.

On October 5, Northern Territory Country Liberal Party Senator Nigel Scullion won broad support across party lines for a Senate committee inquiry into petrol sniffing problems. According to a press release from Scullion’s office, the Community Affairs References Committee will look for meaningful solutions through wide-ranging stakeholder input.
"It is absolutely essential that the Committee hears from those with a direct interest and experience dealing with petrol sniffing issues," said Scullion. "This is our best opportunity yet to address a serious problem affecting too many individuals, families and communities."

High petrol sniffing is especially prevalent in the remote regions of the Northern Territory, South Australia, and Western Australia, where officials support the federally proposed plan to create a zero tolerance policy for petrol traffickers. The plan will also create alternative activities for Aboriginal youth, and contains provisions for treatment and rehabilitation, communication, and educational programs to strengthen communities.

According to most reports, the plan to promote the use of Opal fuel in these areas is lauded by the Aboriginal community and political supporters alike. But community members say they would like the government to stop lagging behind on reaching the most affected, usually remote, areas with the fuel.

"We need to do everything we can to stop this hugely destructive habit and the development of Opal fuel offers the opportunity to stop petrol sniffing," said Vaughan Johnson, Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy in a press statement. "We need to encourage it se in remote areas where sniffing is out of control."

The Committee is expected to travel to communities throughout Central Australia and is due to make Senate recommendations by November 9, 2005.