Emerging patterns of cannabis and other substance use in Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory: A study of two communities

Abstract

A recent rise in cannabis use in Indigenous communities in northern Australia may have compounded existing patterns of other substance me. This paper describes these patterns in Arnhem Land in the 'Top End' of the Northern Territory (NT). Economic impacts of the cannabis trade are also described. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, random samples included 336 people (169 males, 167 females) aged 13-36 years. Consensus classification of lifetime and current use of cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, kava, inhalants (petrol) and other drugs was derived based on health workers' proxy assessments. A sample (n = 180, aged 13-36) was recruited opportunistically for interview. Lifetime cannabis users a..