MP plans to weed out Tiwi Is petrol sniffers

The Northern Territory's Health and Community Services Minister says the arrival of petrol sniffing on the Tiwi Islands has to be tackled hard before it spreads.

The Minister and local Member Marion Scrymgour says she spotted people sniffing petrol in Nguiu, the largest community on Bathurst Island during an electorate visit this week.

While the destructive practice has been damaging mainland communities for years, it is the first time petrol sniffing has been reported on the islands.

Ms Scrymgour says Tiwi Land Council leaders were shocked when she told them.

"Or whether that was a feigned shock and they knew that it was happening but they don't know how to deal with it," Ms Scrymgour said.

Ms Scrymgour has informed Bathurst Island police and says Tiwi leaders need to send sniffers who are not from the islands back home.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Wed, 25 May 2005
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)
Copyright: 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/34