Policing substance abuse in Indigenous communities : report from a workshop held in Mildura, Victoria, 5-6 August, 2008

On 5 and 6 August 2008, staff from the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) and Victoria Police attended a workshop in Mildura, Victoria to discuss the policing of substance abuse in Indigenous communities. A range of case studies highlighted both diversity and areas of similarity in policing responses to substance misuse in Indigenous communities. The workshop heard case study presentations from New South Wales and Victorian police working in both rural and urban locations. ... The need to work collaboratively with other agencies\U+2014\ such as health, education and housing\U+2014\was a feature of most of the case study presentations. Very positive results have been achieved when agencies have worked together, with each bringing its own area of expertise to help resolve the range of problems that affect some Indigenous communities. Throughout the presentations, there was a theme of working with local Indigenous organisations and community representatives and the importance of engaging with and maintaining good relationships with these groups.