Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Key statistics

DrugInfo publications

Australian Drug Information Network (ADIN) “Indigenous communities” topic centre

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Many of the health effects that are associated with alcohol and tobacco use are found at higher rates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) communities, than in the rest of the Australian population (AIHW 2008).  

Key statistics

These key statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show the extent of the problem:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are more likely to smoke tobacco, with almost half being current smokers—more than double the rate of other Australians (AIHW 2011).
• Though more likely (29%) to abstain from drinking than other Australians (15%), they are more likely to binge drink, with 17% binge drinking compared to 8% of other Australians (AIHW 2008).
• 23% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders had recently used an illicit substance, and 43% reported that they had used at least one illicit substance in their lifetime (AIHW 2011).
• 46.8% of ATSI participants in the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey reported that they had never used an illicit substance, substantially less than the 62.2% of other Australians. Recent use was also reported at a higher rate at 24.2% compared to 13% of other Australians (AIHW 2007).

DrugInfo publications

DrugInfo research reports

Prevention of alcohol-related harms in Victoria’s Koori communities
April 2009

Preventing drug-related harm in Australian Indigenous communities
May 2004

DrugInfo newsletters

Prevention of alcohol-related harms in Aboriginal communities in Australia
April 2009

Indigenous prevention
May 2004

Fact sheets

Resources for workers in the drug and alcohol field who work with Indigenous communities

Indigenous Dual Diagnosis project Fact Sheet: The Indigenous Dual Diagnosis Project

More information at Australian Drug Information Network (ADIN)

Australian Drug Information Network (ADIN) "Indigenous communities" topic centre
The Australian Drug Information Network provides links to quality-assured websites, which provide information relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Topics include: community building, information and resources, law enforcement, peak bodies, policies and strategies, research, training and education, and treatment services.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet aims to inform practice and policy in Indigenous health by making research and other knowledge readily accessible.

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics & Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2008 The health and welfare of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 2008, Cat. no. IHW 21, Canberra: AIHW

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2011 Substance use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Canberra: AIHW

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2008 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: detailed findings, Cat. no. PHE 107, Canberra: AIHW

Last updated: 29 June 2011