Petrol sniffing needs own law

Anthony Schapel

Deputy Coroner Anthony Schapel.
Source: AdelaideNow




SA HEALTH will consider introducing laws that target petrol sniffing.


Deputy State Coroner Anthony Schapel yesterday handed down his findings in the death of an Aboriginal man, 18, who hanged himself during a 17-minute stand-off with police in 2009.

Before the siege the man, referred to as Kunmanara Brown, had threatened to stab his mother and his mother’s partner with a knife.

The man was under the influence of petrol, to which he had a “long- standing” addiction.

In his findings yesterday, Mr Schapel suggested the Health Minister consider introducing legislation similar to the Northern Territory’s Volatile Substance Prevention Act 2005.

The Act enables police to apprehend people believed to have inhaled a volatile substance and relocate them.

In South Australia, Mr Schapel said, “police have to rely upon the application of the Public Intoxication Act 1984, which only applies in respect of public property, and the Mental Health Act 2009”.

“The implementation in South Australia of legislation akin to the Northern Territory legislation that is specifically targeted towards volatile substance abuse is a matter worthy of consideration.”

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