Officials to nab petrol sniffers

Police will soon be able to take petrol sniffing children into protective custody, it was learned last night.

Youngsters in remote regions could be sent to outstations such as Mt Theo station, 140km from Yuendumu, which runs a successful substance abuse rehabilitation program.

Children in towns could be taken to crisis accommodation, such as hospitals.

Justice Minister Peter Toyne said the Government would introduce the legislation in November.

Protective custody would be mandatory.

"We'll be giving police and night patrols the ability to take kids into protective custody and put an order on them to be in care," Dr Toyne said.

"We need to stop that activity because it's so destructive to the kids and the communities they live in.

"They need to be removed from the environment where sniffing takes place."

Dr Toyne said parental consent would not be required because it was often a "breakdown of family influence" that had led to the substance abuse.

"They're often out at night and they're not under any effective control, so the idea is to immediately remove them from harm and put them into crisis accommodation," he said.

Maria Billias, spokeswoman for Community Services Minister Marion Scrymgour, said the urban model had not been finalised yet

We're looking at a range of treatment options in urban areas that will be similar to the outstation model," Ms Billias said.

Dr Toyne said the change in legislation was a result of community groups demanding action.

"We don't believe the law as it stands is strong enough to allow us to take action so we're now moving to get new laws in place," he said.

The rehabilitation program will involve the Department of Health, the Department of Community Services and police.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 11th Aug 2004
Source: Northern Territory News
Author: Rebecca Hewett
Copyright: 2004 Northern Territory News
Contact: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://www.ntnews.com.au