 In 2000 ‐ 02 suicide rates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians were highest in remote areas of Australia (55 per 100,000), lower in inner and outer regional areas (37 per 100,000 and 35 per 100,000; respectively) and lowest in major cities (16 per 100,000).  Highest suicide rates were found in DOGIT communities (68 per 100,000) ‐ twice the overall Indigenous Australian rate (30 per 100,000). Suicide rates are lower in Torres Strait Islander Australians (18 per 100,000) (Partnerships Queensland, 2006).

Australian suicide rates by urban-rural residence, (rate per 100,000) Page A, Morrell S, Taylor R, Dudley M, Carter G. Further increases in rural suicide in young Australian adults: Secular trends Soc Sci Med. 65(3):

Page A, Morrell S, Taylor R, Carter G, Dudley M. Divergent trends in suicide by socio- economic status in Australia. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2006;41(11): Australian suicide rates by low, middle & high SES, (rate per 100,000)

Of all those children in the bottom national CSE decile, 17.7% come from NSW (which contains 34% of all children)

More children born per female (2.15 versus 1.75). Higher fertility at younger ages, especially 15 to 24 years. ( Source: ABS Births, 2003)

Source Jane Fremantle, 2005 ARACY Conf.

Infant Mortality Rate Comparison between USA, NZ & Australia Per 1000 lives births (1995) (1997) (1995-7) Sources: “Trends in Indian Health” Indian Health Services, New Zealand Now; ‘Children’ 1998 Edition, AIHW 2002

 Children under 18 in out-of-home care  3.6 per 1,000 in 2000; 4.5 per 1,000 in 2004  16,923 to 21,795 from 2000 to 2004  23.7 per 1,000 Indigenous in 2004  3.6 per 1,000 Other Australian in 2004  Children aged in juvenile justice detention in 2003  per 100,000 Indigenous  16.1 per 100,000 Other Australian  Children under 18 in out-of-home care  3.6 per 1,000 in 2000; 4.5 per 1,000 in 2004  16,923 to 21,795 from 2000 to 2004  23.7 per 1,000 Indigenous in 2004  3.6 per 1,000 Other Australian in 2004  Children aged in juvenile justice detention in 2003  per 100,000 Indigenous  16.1 per 100,000 Other Australian

Source: National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, HRDC, 2003

 By year five, 89% non- indigenous & 70% Aboriginal students nationally achieved the reading benchmark, compared to 21% Aboriginal students in remote parts of the NT. Kirsten Storry ( The Australian report ) Centre for Independent Studies, Sydney  By year five, 89% non- indigenous & 70% Aboriginal students nationally achieved the reading benchmark, compared to 21% Aboriginal students in remote parts of the NT. Kirsten Storry ( The Australian report ) Centre for Independent Studies, Sydney

 21% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders ≤15 years spoke an Indigenous language.  For 12% Indigenous people, it was the main language spoken at home, (same as in 1994).  Indigenous language was main language spoken at home for 39% of those in remote areas, but only 2% in non-remote areas.  In 2002, 70% of Indigenous people aged ≤15 years recognised homelands or traditional country (75% in 1994).  21% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders ≤15 years spoke an Indigenous language.  For 12% Indigenous people, it was the main language spoken at home, (same as in 1994).  Indigenous language was main language spoken at home for 39% of those in remote areas, but only 2% in non-remote areas.  In 2002, 70% of Indigenous people aged ≤15 years recognised homelands or traditional country (75% in 1994).

 Less than 20% complete year 12 (compared to 46%+ NI)  4.6% complete a degree (compared to 20%)  90% involved in social activity  Over 50% involved in sport (m>f)  27% involved in voluntary work (f>m)  most commonly reported problems (higher in remote areas) were alcohol (54%), problems involving youth (48%) and illegal drugs (46%)  Up to 15 times more likely to be imprisoned  Less than 20% complete year 12 (compared to 46%+ NI)  4.6% complete a degree (compared to 20%)  90% involved in social activity  Over 50% involved in sport (m>f)  27% involved in voluntary work (f>m)  most commonly reported problems (higher in remote areas) were alcohol (54%), problems involving youth (48%) and illegal drugs (46%)  Up to 15 times more likely to be imprisoned

 Of serious concern is the high and increasing rate of suicide among Indigenous Australian children and adolescents (Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Queensland, 2007).  In 2006 ‐ 07, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian children and adolescents accounted for 39% youth suicide victims in Queensland, despite comprising only 6% of the youth population.

Meta-analysis of 331 Coronial Studies  65 studies met criteria;  Subject N = 19,347;  Alcohol discovered in 81.7% suicides;  22.7% intoxicated at time of death (Blood Alcohol Concentration ≥ 100mg/dL Smith, Branas and Miller, 1999 Meta-analysis of 331 Coronial Studies  65 studies met criteria;  Subject N = 19,347;  Alcohol discovered in 81.7% suicides;  22.7% intoxicated at time of death (Blood Alcohol Concentration ≥ 100mg/dL Smith, Branas and Miller, 1999

 DENMARK ( ) prices up, suicide down Skog, 1993  RUSSIA ( ) restrictions on Vodka sales following Perestroika led to reduced suicide Wasserman et al., 1994  UNITED STATES ( ) states with lower spirit consumption have reduced suicide Gruenewald et al., 1995  ICELAND (1989) legalization of strong beer / reduced spirits / decrease in suicide rate Lester 1999  DENMARK ( ) prices up, suicide down Skog, 1993  RUSSIA ( ) restrictions on Vodka sales following Perestroika led to reduced suicide Wasserman et al., 1994  UNITED STATES ( ) states with lower spirit consumption have reduced suicide Gruenewald et al., 1995  ICELAND (1989) legalization of strong beer / reduced spirits / decrease in suicide rate Lester 1999

 Strong association between drinking and attempts in 13 year olds (Time 1) (chi-square 220.5, p<0.0001)  15.9% of those drinking >1/week claimed an attempt, compared to 0.9% for those claiming never (Odds ratio 17.3).  Strong association between drinking and attempts in 13 year olds (Time 1) (chi-square 220.5, p<0.0001)  15.9% of those drinking >1/week claimed an attempt, compared to 0.9% for those claiming never (Odds ratio 17.3).

 357 deaths attributed to opioids in 2004, ages 15 to 54 years.  Males comprised 78% of the deaths  Ten-year breakdown of deaths attributed to opioids in 2004 showed:  43% were among the year age group,  28% in the age group,  18% in the age group,  10% age group. Degenhardt et al.,2006. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.  357 deaths attributed to opioids in 2004, ages 15 to 54 years.  Males comprised 78% of the deaths  Ten-year breakdown of deaths attributed to opioids in 2004 showed:  43% were among the year age group,  28% in the age group,  18% in the age group,  10% age group. Degenhardt et al.,2006. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.

 Overall, 1798 young people yrs participated in the survey, either online (n=866), by telephone (n=645), or paper based (n=161).  61.4% were female, a ratio similar across age groups (12-14 years: 63.9%; years: 60.7%; 18 years: 59.4%).  9.4% of participants identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (ATSI)  Overall, 1798 young people yrs participated in the survey, either online (n=866), by telephone (n=645), or paper based (n=161).  61.4% were female, a ratio similar across age groups (12-14 years: 63.9%; years: 60.7%; 18 years: 59.4%).  9.4% of participants identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (ATSI)

Alcohol never > Once a week Tobacco never > Once a week Cannabis never > Once a week

Painkillers for non medical purposes Tranquillisers for non- medical purposes Steroids Heroin Methamphetamine Natural Occurring Hallucinogens Synthetic Hallucinogens Ecstasy Inhalants Kava