Working with the Norfolk Island community, researchers from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, have completed a community survey, interviews and focus groups to discuss drug and alcohol use, ascertain if the community is concerned about use, and potential strategies to keep the community safe. This work indicates that the Norfolk Island community think that excessive drinking is the main concern. The data collected indicates that alcohol and other drug use on Norfolk is similar in many respects to other remote areas in Australia. During the focus groups, held last week, the researchers discussed strategies such as working to improve existing services, a focus on youth-centred activities, and raising community awareness around harms from drug and alcohol. The next step will be to develop a set of recommendations and to deliver a report to the community. This work has been supported by a Norfolk Island project management group. The photo below shows the visiting research team, consisting of (l-r) Dr Peter Gates, Dr Sara Farnbach and Prof Anthony Shakeshaft.
