NCJ Number
238365
Editor(s)
Julie Stokes
Date Published
2011
Length
138 pages
Annotation
This research paper from the Australian National Council on Drugs examines the problem of injecting drug use and associated harms among the Aboriginal population in Australia.
Abstract
This paper reports on a project conducted by the Australian National Council on Drugs to examine the problem of injecting drug use and associated harms among Aboriginal communities in Australia. The project was undertaken due to the lack of data available on the problem. Previous research indicates that barriers to choice and options for access to health care services can increase an individual's level of disadvantage and vulnerability. This report examines the barriers faced by Aboriginals who inject drugs and looks at the issues that prevent them from receiving access to quality and timely prevention, treatment, and harm reduction services. The report's findings indicate that the barriers to effective health services are in part structural, through policy and funding mechanisms, and also a result of procedures embedded in the practices of the health service agencies. Interviews with key stakeholders indicate four areas that need to be improved: gaps in knowledge and responses to Aboriginal drug use, identifying ways to improve quality and access to health services for Aboriginal drug users, identifying opportunities to improve service models to Aboriginal drug users, and developing ways to more accurately target specific populations of Aboriginal drug users. A set of recommendations that target improving policy development and funding, data collection efforts, and service responses are discussed. Tables, figures, and references