1. www.ndri.curtin.edu.au Alcohol harm and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People Ted Wilkes

2. Aboriginal Australians harmful use of alcohol is directly related to disadvantage/ poverty. To diminish poverty is to diminish the harmful effects of alcohol and drugs in Aboriginal Australia

3. We drink to medicate to escape to be happy Nevertheless we can do much given government support and understanding.

4. Aboriginal Australians need a separate Aboriginal Drug Strategy Such a strategy must be appropriately aligned to other relevant strategies.

5. The scourge that is harmful use of alcohol by our mob is Australia wide. There is a need for greater consultation about how to resource and support local and family clans/groups but we must recognise that not one size fits all.

6. An Aboriginal Community Controlled ATOD- Primary Health Care centred model for the provision of services needs to be negotiated between service providers and Governments The model needs to be supported by improved service planning, organisational and community development and consolidated funding allocated on the basis of need

7. There is a need to diminish the link between harmful use of alcohol and other drugs and the atrocious criminal justice statistics for Aboriginal Australians. Aboriginal Australians require a Justice Reinvestment strategy to compliment the National Drug Strategy and the Aboriginal Drug Strategy

8. Aboriginal Australians require a National body to oversee the National Drug Strategy and the Aboriginal Drug Strategy The National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee NIDAC or a stronger version of NIDAC should be that body