YOUR SAYShould Federal and State Governments do more to address the issue of petrol / paint sniffing in Indigenous communities? Video Journalist Kris Flanders travels to the Indigenous community of Cherbourg, 250 kilometres North West of Brisbane. Alarm bells have been ringing in this particular part of Queensland, with concerns mounting over a disturbing increase in petrol and paint sniffing amongst some of the youth.
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if they refuse to accept the help from the government, with our money (tax), then really, what else can we do? its great idea to make the petrol and paint from safer substance but that wont stop indigenous people from sniffing them. build a modern Free schooling facility in the indigenous community, with WELL educated and understand teachers, Free bus and transportation to the school, THEN maybe they can get their life back. or provide some decent workplace to work etc etc.. giving them little money every so weeks or months doesnt help and cant change their life so drastically.
Having travelled this country extensively outback and urban areas, I am familiaer with all the problems facing Aboriginal people. the solution to the problems are the Abopriginal people themselves, stop passing the buck to Governments or others.
Why is it people like me need to work and pay my taxes so the government should pay for people who refuse to help themselves, I feel it is high time that communities took the bull by the horns and did something for themselves. These communities are in place to allow indigenous people to live traditionally,but they dont respect it.
As told in the story the Qld Govt. should assist by helping with the idea of a multi-purpose facility to overcome the problems. Work with the families and get things sorted.
Yes. The roll out of Opal fuel in communities in the NT show things can be done.
Yes. Programs set up help the ones already affected by this habit As well as educating our young ones in the prevention of sniffing. Show them what will happen to them if they take this path
Petrol sniffing can be minimised by ensuring that only the type of petrol that does not have the preferred affect is available throughout country communities. Paint sniffing can also be made more difficult by any selling agency not selling the product to under 18 youth. The predominant age groups for paint sniffing in my experience are 15-17 year olds.
I was a community representative representative at the premier's dept drug action team Bankstown and they told me I was banging my head aginst a brick wall. So I started lobbying government at both state and federal levels to act on the inhalation of volatile substances. They all kicked it to someone else.
This is a pretty silly qustion. The question is what can communities and governments do together, how can they do it and how should they support each other over the years it will take to work it through?
Who is selling petrol to these children. No loose cans of petrol should be allowed to be purchased.If one's car runs out then his name and address should be noted. This situation is absolutely critical and unless the public steps in and not leave everything to the Government then we will get results. You can only say you care when you step out there and do something about it. I am ready!!!!!!!!