Abbott backs anti-petrol sniffing initiative (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Friday, 23 September 2005, 18:18:11  AEST

Abbott backs anti-petrol sniffing initiative
http://abc.net.au/message/news/stories/ms_news_1467409.htm

Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott says the message from a new 
anti-petrol sniffing kit should be able to reach an addict who sniffed 
during a coronial inquest near Uluru.

Stephen Uluru sniffed petrol at his mother's side while she was giving 
evidence to an open-air hearing at Mutitjulu last month.

Tony Abbott says he will consider translating the English-language 
flip-chart into Aboriginal languages if that helps to spread the 
message that sniffing is deadly.

Mr Abbott says even if chronic sniffers like Mr Uluru are unable to 
read the warnings, their families can intervene.

"Maybe he won't but the people who love him hopefully will and rather 
than permit him to wander, sniffing petrol all day, they will insist 
that he attend some kind of rehabilitation program," he said.

The flip-chart launched in Darwin today by Mr Abbott will be used by 
social workers delivering rehabilitation and education programs.

Dr Sheree Cairney helped develop the kit and says it shows exactly how 
petrol sniffing affects people's health.

"So communities know their own community, they know their own people, 
they're the ones who know how to deal with these problems but they 
don't have access to medical information," she said.

"So whether it's in English or where necessary local languages, once 
they know the medical consequences of sniffing petrol then they're much 
better equipped."
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