ABORIGINES in Australia live 15 to 20 years
less than the white population, says a
recently published report citing data
from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
and the Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare. They are 15 to 18 times
more likely to die of infectious diseases
and their babies are up to four times
more likely to die at birth.
Health officials working with aboriginal communities say that the abuse
of alcohol is the major cause of health
difficulties. Robin Walker, a substance
abuse officer in Coober Pedy, says that
despite repeated requests, the state
government of South Australia had
failed to provide a cletoxification and
rehabilitation centre in the area. Ttte
situation has been made worse by
marijuana, heroin, cigarettes, petrol
sniffing and junk foods, says another
health worker, Vicki McCormack.
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