ABSTINENCE AND ALCOHOL-USE AMONG URBAN ABORIGINES IN WESTERN-AUSTRALIA

Aboriginal males and females aged 15 years and over were recruited fro m patients attending community-controlled health services in Perth and Carnarvon, Western Australia. Questions were asked about present and past use of alcohol, Rates of abstinence and drinking cessation were g reater than in the general population. Both samples contained sizeable numbers of people whose weekly consumption of alcohol was within reco mmended limits. These are encouraging findings for Aboriginal health w orkers and others concerned to help those who continue to drink at haz ardous and harmful levels.