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 employment and skills-training programs targeting young people - in reducing petrol sniffing at Maningrida, an isolated Aboriginal community in northern 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 intervention 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 levels of the participants, and community crime statistics. Results: After intervention strategies in Maningrida, petrol sniffing ceased, with related crime falling markedly. Employment increased significantly among 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 sniffing elsewhere. Apart from one of these levels fell significantly in those with a history of petrol sniffing, indicating they had not continued to sniff avgas, which contains lead additives (0.8 g/L). Conclusions: While avgas introduction was a key element in eliminating petrol sniffing, its apparent lack of success as a single intervention elsewhere indicates the importance of widespread community, resolve against petrol sniffing and the development of coordinated employment strategies in successfully eliminating the practice and reducing associated social disruption.