Elders call for action on drugs in AP lands

The growing use of marijuana, in tandem with petrol sniffing, has prompted calls for tougher laws and more funding for the Anangu Pitjantajatjara ( AP ) lands in far north South Australia.

Aboriginal people in the AP lands have been sending a common message during the visit of South Australian Premier Mike Rann and coordinator Bob Collins.

They say marijuana use is growing and after 30 years, petrol sniffing will not go away.

Aboriginal elder Donald Fraser says the State Government should have done something long ago.

"We are the cheapest people in Australia for government. That's why they only give us peanuts. They treated us like monkeys," he said.

Mr Collins says improving safety is his priority.

"You've got a whole heap of stuff here that's bogged to the axles and if I can do nothing else, my job is to get all that stuff unbogged," he said.

The visit winds up today.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Wed, 21 Apr 2004
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)
Copyright: 2004 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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