NUMBER OF ABORIGINES INJECTING DRUGS DOUBLES - STUDY

PERTH -- The number of Aborigines injecting drugs in Western Australia has
jumped an estimated 50 per cent since 1994, according to a new study.

Conducted by the National Drug Research Institute, the study found that up
to four per cent of Aborigines aged 15 or more who live in cities and towns
had injected drugs in the past year.

Amphetamines were by far the most widely used drug, with little recorded
use of heroin.

Research team head Dennis Gray said there was a tendency for Aborigines to
share needles and a worrying lack of awareness about the potential health
risks.

"We found that 43 per cent of those we spoke to regularly shared needles,
which is a very high figure," Associate Professor Gray said.

"It shows they are putting themselves at risk of considerable health
problems such as Hepatitis C."

He said Aborigines had little access to fresh needles, particularly those
in regional areas, and most were reluctant to use mainstream drug support
services.

The research, conducted in Perth, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Bunbury and
Broome, included an examination of hospital admissions related to drug use
and interviews with several hundred drug users.

Prof Gray said the rate of intravenous drug use was far higher for
Aborigines than other Australians, with the latest national drug use survey
finding that 0.7 per cent of the non-indigenous population injected drugs.

Noongar Alcohol and Substance Abuse Service director Jade Maddox said
Aborigines knew little about drug services available to them.

"One of the main reasons for this is that there are very few services
available which provide culturally appropriate, technically competent and
non-judgemental advice to Aboriginal people who inject drugs," Ms Maddox said.

Prof Gray said a comprehensive strategy was needed, encompassing ways to
reduce the supply of drugs, community education and support for families of
drug users and greater access to clean needles.

"There needs to be a really concerted campaign to address Aboriginal drug
use, and it needs to be done in a co-operative way between Aboriginal
organisations and mainstream government departments," he said.

The study, commissioned by the WA Health Department, is expected to be used
to develop health policy.