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Volatile substance misuse has received increased public attention over the past few decades. The misuse of otherwise innocuous domestic products as vehicles to intoxication is considered dangerous and threatening to mainstream users of these substances, and is a clear deviation from their intended purpose (MacLean 2003). However, such perceptions have hampered the formation of innovative and reflexive policy. In Australia, volatile substance misuse is not a criminal offence, and new legislation has been developed in all Australian jurisdictions to allow police and responding agencies greater authority for responding to substance misuse. Although there is an increasing body of literature surrounding volatile substance misuse, there is limited empirical research on the regulatory responses with a focus on drug abuse prevention. Of the literature that does exist, much is concerned with reviewing interventions without empirical analyses or consideration of the conceptual issues that surround volatile substance misuse.Consequentially, this research is concerned with examining the current regulatory responses to volatile substance misuse, with a specific focus on drug abuse prevention. Using a mixed-method case study design, this thesis draws on 34 interviews with four participant groups and five weeks of observation of a responding agency, to examine the assumptions of agency and capacity of regulatory subjects made by policy and regulatory strategies, as well as policy motivations. Further, the thesis considers the extent to which the findings have implications for the potential success of regulatory programs. These assumptions, although examined in this thesis primarily within the context of volatile substance misuse strategies, are also considered within the broader context of Indigenous policy. By moving beyond general policy discussions and considering issues of empowerment, ownership and community control and how these affect the potential success of regulatory str

Background Few studies describe cannabis use in indigenous populations, and no longitudinal studies are available in Australia. We conducted 3-year follow-up interviews and assessments in Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land (Northern Territory, NT). Methods A randomly selected sample (n = 161; 80 males, 81 females aged 13-36 years) was assessed in October 2001 and then reassessed in September 2004. An opportunistically recruited sample ( n = 104; 53 males, 51 females aged 13-36 years) was also interviewed in 2001 and followed-up in 2004. Cannabis and other substance use were determined by combining proxy assessments by local Aboriginal health workers, medical records and data from interviews. Changes in cannabis use and symptoms of misuse were assessed using McNemar's test for paired proportions and the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Logistic regression assessed associations between clinical presentations and cannabis use at both time-points. Results Those who used cannabis at both baseline and follow-up were at greater risk than those who never used it to have suffered: auditory hallucinations; suicidal ideation; and imprisonment. In the randomly selected cohort there were fewer cannabis users at follow-up than at baseline (P = 0.003). The reduction was evident in females generally (P = 0.008) and older males ( aged = 16 at baseline) (P = 0.007). In those interviewed at both baseline and follow-up we measured no statistically significant reduction in frequency and levels of use, although fewer cannabis users reported symptoms of misuse such as: fragmented thought processes; memory disruption; difficulties controlling use; and auditory and visual hallucinations. Conclusions Modest reductions in cannabis use and its consequences in this population were demonstrated. These may be the result of enhanced supply control and broader socio-political changes.