EVALUATION OF STRATEGIES USED BY A REMOTE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY TO ELIMINATE PETROL SNIFFING

Objective: To evaluate the success of strategies - including replacing petrol with aviation gasoline (avgas) in the fuel supply, and employm ent and skills-training programs targeting young people - in reducing petrol sniffing at Maningrida, an isolated Aboriginal community in nor thern Australia. Methods: A follow-up study of 13 Aboriginals who were non-sniffers, 15 who were ex-sniffers and 27 who were petrol sniffers in 1992 was conducted by questionnaire in 1994, 20 months after inter vention strategies were commenced; 11 non-sniffers, 11 ex-sniffers and 18 petrol sniffers, respectively, participated. Main outcome measures : Petrol-sniffing status, changes in employment status, blood leads le vels of the participants, and community crime statistics. Results: Aft er intervention strategies in Maningrida, petrol sniffing ceased, with related crime falling markedly. Employment increased significantly am ong petrol sniffers, from 7% to 63% (chi(2) = 11.53; df = 1; P < 0.001 ). Only two petrol sniffers were reported to have continued petrol sni ffing elsewhere. Apart from one of these levels fell significantly in those with a history of petrol sniffing, indicating they had not conti nued to sniff avgas, which contains lead additives (0.8 g/L). Conclusi ons: While avgas introduction was a key element in eliminating petrol sniffing, its apparent lack of success as a single intervention elsewh ere indicates the importance of widespread community, resolve against petrol sniffing and the development of coordinated employment strategi es in successfully eliminating the practice and reducing associated so cial disruption.