Grassroots Approach for Reducing Petrol Sniffing Among Aboriginal Youth: Some Problems and Possible Solutions (From Research, Action, and the Community: Experiences in the Prevention of Alcohol and Other Drug Problems, P 124-130, 1990, Norman Giesbrecht, Peter Conley, et al., eds. -- See NCJ-128273)

• NCJ Number: 128287
• Author(s): E Lang; M Kickett
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Paper presented at the Symposium on Experiences with Community Action Projects for the Prevention of Alcohol and Other Drug Problems, March 1989, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada

Annotation

A program was started in 1987 to combat petrol sniffing among Ngaanyatjarra aboriginal children in a remove desert region of western Australia.

Abstract

The program has three major components: research to provide data for program evaluation; community education that includes a health education component dealing with the harmful effects of petrol; and a school-based component dealing with peer group pressure, risk-taking behavior, positive goal setting, self-esteem, and family relationships and friendships. The program also incorporates a series of workshops, the most important of which is the community workshop around which community action objectives take place. The underlying assumption of the program is that a dominant European culture has gradually disintegrated aboriginal culture and eroded the ability to respond to and cope with problems. The program is designed to help people regain their self-confidence, set goals, and develop strategies to combat problems. An evaluation of the program and the community action process indicates that ongoing problems are likely to exist unless evaluation is built into such a program from the outset. Further, no matter how homogeneous a community may appear, it cannot be assumed that this similarity will translate into community interest or solidarity in the face of a problem like petrol sniffing. Program designers and researchers must devise appropriate models for community action projects that involve program recipients in the planning and implementation processes. 2 references