Doctor slams $6m in kava sales

TERRITORIANS splurged almost $6 million on kava last year _ enough to fill a fully-loaded semi-trailer.

About 26 tonnes of kava worth $3.6million was sold legally in the NT in 2005 while another eight tonnes valued at $2million changed hands on the black market. Leading health experts have called on the NT Government to review its kava policy and put a hold on any further retail licences until kava supply is reduced.

Menzies School of Health senior researcher Dr Alan Clough said the kava supply regulations had not succeeded in controlling its availability in Arnhem Land.

``Police have done a good job cracking down on illegal supply in remote communities but kava use is now reaching record levels through legal supply,'' Dr Clough said.

``This is the opposite of what legalising kava use was meant to do, which was minimise consumption.''

Retailers are allowed to supply up to 800g of kava to each person a week, more than double the known harmful consumption levels.

Kava abuse has been attributed to an accelerated decline in participation in traditional ceremonies and mortuary rites and is the psycho-active substance with the greatest effect on the financial resources of communities and individuals in Arnhem Land, said Dr Clough.

Heavy users can lose up to 20per cent of their body weight and may also be at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

``With no effective treatments for kava misuse, controlling supply is the only practical measure to reduce kava-related harms,'' Dr Clough said.

Dr Clough recommended no further retail licenses be granted until kava supply is reduced, retail licensees be allowed to sell no more than 440g of kava each week to individuals and a limit set on the amounts wholesalers can import and supply to retailers.

A spokesman for Licensing Minister Syd Stirling said he was concerned by the high level of kava consumption and would take note of Dr Currie's recommendations.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Tuesday, 31 January 2006
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://www.ntnews.com.au