Why do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people use drugs? (5 part series)

Due to the complexity of this subject, this factsheet is a 5-part series examining why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people use alcohol and other drugs.

It explores the risk and protective factors influencing alcohol and other drug use in the context of individual factors, relationship factors, community and cultural factors and societal factors. 

Click each of the icons or text below to work through the 5-part series. 

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Individual Factors

Part 3: Relationship Factors

Part 4: Community and Cultural Factors

Part 5: Societal Factors

This factsheet was developed following expert review by researchers at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney, the National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre at the University of New South Wales, the National Drug Research Institute at Curtin University, and Gilimbaa Indigenous Creative Design Agency (2018).