Drug use patterns in Northern Territory Aboriginal communities 1986–1987

Abstract

During April to November 1986 and May to October 1987, a systematic survey of patterns of use of alcohol, kava, tobacco and analgesics by Northern Territory Aboriginal people aged 15 years and older was conducted. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the prevalence of drug use, the frequency of drug use and the quantity of drugs used. In addition, information about Aboriginal people's perceptions of the drugs, their beliefs about drug use and the value of drugs in their culture was collected. This paper describes only the quantitative aspects of drug use of this population. A stratified sampling procedure was used to sample 10 per cent of the target population. Using two survey instruments, an individual questionnaire and a group questionnaire, data were gathered from 1764 Aboriginal people living in the Northern Territory. As a whole, the Northern Territory Aboriginal people have a drug consumption pattern quite distinct from urban Australians.