Nggangganawili Aboriginal Health Service provides a substance misuse program to Indigenous clients in the Wiluna and Karalundi communities.
While studies show that Indigenous people generally are less likely to drink alcohol than non-Indigenous people (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 1999), those Indigenous people who do drink, tend to consume dangerous quantities.
Nggangganawili Aboriginal Health Service attempt to work across the spectrum of issues that can cause people to over drink. We employ a male substance misuse counsellor to provide support in the areas listed below and we hope to employ a female counsellor soon to broaden our reach into the community.
Our substance misuse program areas include:
In 2008-09 we will also trial new strategies to improve impact in this complex area. These new strategies include involving Indigenous men and women as mentors in the running of programs and inviting Indigenous men and women from other communities to talk to our local community. in addition, information about substance misuse is disseminated through our direct contact with the community as part of the Building Healthy Communities program.