Harm Minimisation Strategies Utilised by Incarcerated Aboriginal Volatile Substance Users'

Abstract

Semi-structured interviews with 12 incarcerated Aboriginal volatile substance users (VSU's) resulted in the generation of six propositions on the harm minimisation strategies used. Specifically, VSU's were aware of the dangers of their substance use and consequently “sniffed” in groups and in public. Individuals, who from the earliest stages of VSU had been faced with choice of substance tended to reject those substances and implements for sniffing which were potentially the most dangerous. Other harm minimisation factors in VSU included contact with the family, being a social user, taking exercise and witnessing other sniffers suffering major injuries, sickness or death because of certain activities associated with their VSU.

Key Words:

• Volatile substance use
• aboriginal harm minimisation