Australia bans importation of Kava-kava

[Bajeda]

Australia bans importation of kava

Australia has banned the importation of kava to reduce the spread of the intoxicating drink in Aboriginal communities.

The Australian newspaper reports that the move, which took effect this week, has been welcomed by the Northern Territory government which has long lobbied for the ban.

The restrictions do not include using kava for medical and scientific purposes and also allow for the importation of up to 2kg of kava in the baggage of incoming adult passengers.

The Australian Health Minister, Tony Abbott, says the limited availability of kava is in recognition of the traditional ceremonial and cultural role it held for local Pacific Islanders.

But, he says the restrictions on imports were necessary to combat kava abuse and health problems in Aboriginal communities.

Mr Abbott says kava abuse has become an increasingly serious problem in indigenous communities over recent years where excessive consumption occurs and the health effects are more severe.

In 2002, the Northern Territory government moved to curb the black market by legalising kava in four communities in northeast Arnhem Land but it is also regularly smuggled into larger communities.


http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=33310

[Bajeda]

Support for Indigenous kava ban

A public health academic has supported Federal Government moves to clamp down on the sale of kava in Indigenous communities.

Kava is an alcoholic beverage used in traditional ceremonies and for social occasions in many of the Pacific Islands.

The Federal Government has banned the importation of the intoxicating drink in commercial quantities, except for medical or scientific use.

Associate Professor at James Cook University Alan Clough has been a member of the territory's Licensing Commission, which is responsible for licensing kava in the Northern Territory.

He says banning kava is a very effective way to crack down on an estimated $6 million that is spent annually on kava in impoverished Arnhem Land communities.

"The black market for kava has primarily been kava driven across the border from southern and eastern states," he said.

"You used to be able to import kava into Australia with a permit provided by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and up to 80 tonnes a year have been imported into Australia in recent times."

Associate Professor Clough says kava abuse is particularly prevalent in some Arnhem Land communities.

"The principal issues relate to the impacts on the wider community," he said.

"Most of the impacts are to do with finances and people neglecting themselves and their families when they become constantly engaged in the practice of drinking kava."

http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/...section=justin


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Do I even need to comment as to how stupid this whole thing is? Or how terribly, terribly ignorant the entire government of Australia seems to be when it comes to anything psychoactive?

[enquirewithin]

Originally Posted by Bajeda

Do I even need to comment as to how stupid this whole thing is? Or how terribly, terribly ignorant the entire government of Australia seems to be when it comes to anything psychoactive?

Under Howard, Australia has gone far to the right. This also shows how much the government discriminates against the aborigines.

[KBLSD]

thats the bad thing about drugs becoming popular like kava or salvia once they become popular people want them to become illegal swim remembers wehn he could go to GNC and pick up some kava now if he wants it he has to order it online its sad