Date: 14 January 2013.
We acknowledge the traditional owners, custodians and Elders past and present across Australia. Our thanks also go to the many people who gave their time to speak with us as part of this evaluation, especially those who helped us organise the site visits and welcomed us onto their land and into their services.
All Rights Reserved. No material may be reproduced without prior permission. While we have tried to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences including any loss or damage arising from reliance in information in this publication.
Contents
Acronyms 6
Executive Summary and Proposed New Directions 8
1The Petrol Sniffing Strategy 12
1.1Background 13
1.2History of the government response to petrol sniffing 14
1.3The Petrol Sniffing Strategy 15
1.4Scope of the PSS 16
1.5Delivery of the PSS 17
2Management 18
3Funding 19
4Evaluation Scope and Approach 20
4.1Scope 21
4.2Current extent of petrol sniffing 23
4.3Overview of the report 24
5Implementation of the Eight Points 25
5.1Consistent legislation 26
6Description of the element 27
7Implementation and activity 28
8Findings 30
9Conclusions 31
9.1Appropriate levels of policing 32
10Description of the element 33
11Implementation and activity 34
12Findings 35
13Conclusions 36
13.1Further roll-out of Low Aromatic Fuel 37
14Description of the element 38
15Implementation and activity 39
16Delivery and use of LAF 40
17Managing the roll out of LAF 41
18Findings on implementation 42
19Conclusions 44
19.1Alternative activities for young people 45
20Description of the element 46
21Implementation and activity 47
22Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) 48
23Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) 49
24Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) 50
25Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) 52
26Findings on implementation 53
27Conclusions 54
27.1Treatment and respite facilities 56
28Description of the element 57
29Implementation and activity 58
30Development of volatile substance use clinical practice guidelines 59
31Funding for treatment-related activities 60
32Findings 61
33Conclusions 62
33.1Communication and education 63
34Description of the element 64
35Implementation and activity 65
36Findings 66
37Communications about LAF 67
38Education about sniffing 68
39Conclusions 69
39.1Strengthening and supporting communities 70
40Role of the PSSU and Regional Coordinators 71
41The PSS Targeted Funding Scheme 72
42Supporting communities or supporting communities to address sniffing? 73
43Management of the Targeted Funding Scheme 74
44Conclusions 75
44.1Evaluation and monitoring 76
45Description of the element 77
46Implementation and activity 78
47Governance and planning of evaluations 80
48Findings 81
49Data and monitoring 82
50The Menzies collection 83
51State/territory clinical data 84
52FaHCSIA GOVDEX monitoring 85
53Conclusions on evaluation and monitoring 86
53.1Implementation at the regional level 87
54Whole of Strategy Issues 88
54.1Leadership and governance 89
55Coordination of Australian Government activities – the Senior Executive Service Steering Committee and EL2 Committee 90
56Planning 92
56.1National management - the Petrol Sniffing Strategy Unit (PSSU) 93
57Background and history of the PSSU 94
58Recent changes to the role of the PSSU 95
59Support to agencies in Canberra 96
60Management of the Targeted Funding Scheme 97
60.1Cross-Jurisdictional relationships 98
61Background 99
62State/territories views and interest in the PSS 100
63The Cross-Jurisdictional Forum 102
64Role of Regional Coordinators 104
65Establishment of the Regional Coordinator network 105
66Effectiveness of regional coordination 106
66.1Clarity on the goals and scope of the PSS 108
66.2PSS Zones 109
67Origin and purpose of the Zones 110
68Application in practice 111
69Future of the Zones 112
69.1Scope of the PSS 113
70Substances 114
71Youth services 115
71.1Costs and funding processes 116
72Conclusions – Impact of the PSS 118
73Future Directions for the PSS and Control of Petrol Sniffing 120
73.1A new Remote Indigenous Youth Strategy 121
73.2Continuation of the PSS 122
73.3Changes to the focus and scope of the PSS 123
74An expanded scope to include other volatiles 124
75A true whole of government strategy 125
76A new name for the PSS 126
77Consistent with the broader focus, the name of the PSS should change to reflect the expanded range of substances. Some general considerations for the name are that, consistent with the above discussion of the broader focus, it: 127
77.1A new structure for the PSS 128
77.2Improving delivery of the PSS 133
78A needs-based approach 134
79Engagement with state/territories 135
80New project funding arrangements 136
81Improved strategy definition and communication 137
82Improved governance and management 138
82.1Suggested priorities into the medium term 139
Bibliography 144
APPENDIXES 145
Appendix A: List of Stakeholders Consulted 146