Titjikala leading the fight against alcohol abuse
The Titjikala Aboriginal community is the first to have its Alcohol Management Plan approved by the Commonwealth Minister for Indigenous Affairs.
After years of searching for solutions to the alcohol-related harm in their community, the people of Titjikala are working with the Northern Territory and Australian Governments on a new approach which will be watched closely by other communities around the country.
Lying 120km south-east of Alice Springs, Titjikala is home to around three hundred people, mainly of Arrente, Luritja and Pitjantjatjara backgrounds. Continuing high levels of alcohol abuse led local Elders and community leaders to declare Titjikala a dry area, but alcohol-related problems continued.
With evidence showing a clear link between excessive alcohol consumption and violence, abuse and child neglect, Elders and leaders were eager to find an effective and culturally appropriate solution.
So, when the Australian Government introduced Alcohol Management Plans (AMPs), which seek to address key areas of alcohol-related harm–supply, demand and harm reduction, governance and broader community well-being–Titjikala jumped at the opportunity to be involved and in May this year became the first community in Australia to obtain the Minister for Indigenous Affair’s approval of their AMP.
The AMP aims to make Titjikala stronger and safer by taking control of supply and demand of alcohol and by reducing the harm caused by alcohol, including violence against women and children.
The creation of a local Alcohol Reference Group, known as “Tapatjatjaka Wangka Kantilya Kanyintjaku” (strong voices), to further develop culturally appropriate local leadership on alcohol-related issues, is one response to these problems, as is the community’s request for a stronger police presence, making stronger connections with the Night Patrol and engaging a full time Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) worker to support activities which improve the health and safety of community members.
Additionally, it is expected that further local activities and strategies will be identified and developed as implementation of the AMP occurs.
The people of Titjikala know that there will not be overnight improvements but the community knows that they are creating a positive future for their children.
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Having a safe community to live in is critical to closing the gap in Indigenous disadvantage. It makes other important things possible, like getting kids to school, helping them achieve good results, and getting adults into jobs.
The Australian Government is continuing to work with many other remote communities to finalise their Alcohol Management Plans over the next twelve months, and provide the support Aboriginal people need to ensure that children are going to school, adults are working and people are living in communities that are safe.
Click here to read the Titjikala Alcohol Management Plan.