apothecary Posted September 16, 2008 In chronological order, for your benefit...I have only included the synopsis so as to keep the size of the thing relatively short. It all really becomes clear when you watch it play out like this... 6 May 2003 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2003/05/06/847817.htm Researcher monitors kava use impact A Darwin health researcher says kava users in the Northern Territory s remote communities are not experiencing the liver damage which is seen in some users of herbal products that contain Professor Bart Curry from the Menzies School of Health Research says people who use natural methods to prepare kava before drinking it have not experienced such symptoms. 10 Dec 2003 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2003/12/10/1007276.htm Police nab 400kg of kava Northern Territory police have uncovered about 400 kilograms of kava, with an estimated street value of $400,000. Police nab 400kg of kava. Police seized the intoxicating substance overnight after a four-day surveillance operation near Nhulunbuy, on the Northern Territory's north-east coast. 16 Dec 2003 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2003/12/16/1010978.htm NT police apologise over raids Nhulunbuy police will visit the Gove community of Gapuwiyak tomorrow following complaints about raids conducted last week. Police say they searched one home and made inquiries at two others looking for kava and marijuana. An Aboriginal health worker who has been working to eliminate drugs in the community claims his home was raided but police have now apologised. 23 Apr 2004 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2004/04/23/1093159.htm CLP urges end to 'sit down' money The Northern Territory Opposition has called for the end of what of it describes as "sit down" money. The Country Liberal Party (CLP) says the welfare payment system needs to be changed to ensure recipients do not spend welfare money on substances such as alcohol and kava. 8 Jan 2005 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2005/01/08/1278704.htm Kava licence approved for Croker Is outlet Northern Territory Minister for Licensing Syd Stirling has approved a retail outlet for the legal sale of the controlled substance kava on Croker Island, off the Arnhem Land coast. ..insert several 50-500kg kava "busts" from NT here including one 17 year old... 5 Mar 2006 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/03/05/1584270.htm Minister calls for kava ban The federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough is pushing for a ban on kava in Indigenous communities. His call comes after police seized one of the biggest illegal kava hauls in the Territory this weekend. More than 300 kilograms of Kava was seized at Mataranka, south-east of Katherine. Four Northern Territory communities are licensed to use kava, but Mr Brough says it is destroying people's lives. He wants the Territory Government to withdraw the licences. But the Government has rejected the move saying a black market would be created if it was banned. ..then the next day... 6 Mar 2006 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/03/06/1584812.htm NT supports kava ban call The Northern Territory Government says it would support an Australia-wide ban of kava. Territory Licensing Minister Syd Stirling says the Federal Government's proposal could help wipe out the black market that gets into the Territory from southern states. "It was in the mid '90s that the Federal Government declared this a food rather than a drug which it is and it's always been legally imported into Australia, where the black market kava comes from ... Sydney, imported from Tonga and Fiji and then truck, railed, flown whatever up to the Territory," he said. Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough has proposed a national ban on kava in a bid to rebuild Aboriginal communities. ...then the next day... 7 Mar 2006 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/03/07/1585397.htm Indigenous health group backs kava ban A national Aboriginal health group has welcomed moves by the federal Indigenous Affairs Minister to ban kava. Henry Councillor is the chair of the National Aboriginal Community Control Health Organisation and is part of the committee that advises the federal Health Minister. Mr Councillor says kava abuse has a devastating impact on Aboriginal communities and it should be banned. ...then the next day (wow this isn't looking like a Liberal Govt hose-down at all)... 8 Mar 2006 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/03/08/1586538.htm NT Govt defends kava licensing laws The Northern Territory Government has defended its kava licensing laws despite supply levels being twice the maximum deemed safe by Australia's food standards body. A review by Food Standards Australia says more than 400 grams of kava a week has dangerous health implications. But the Territory Government's licensing system allows people in Arnhem Land to purchase up to 800 grams a week. Licensing Minister Syd Stirling says there is no easy way to set a safe limit. 17 Mar 2006 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/03/17/1594872.htm Planned kava ban concerns Pacific nations A group of five Melanesian countries has expressed concern over a proposed Australian ban on the importation of kava, saying it could have a significant impact on their economies. 31 Mar 2006 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/03/31/1605459.htm NT Parliament hears pros and cons of banning kava The Northern Territory Parliament has debated whether an outright ban on kava would improve the health of people in Arnhem Land or push addicts back to alcohol. 19 Jun 2006 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/06/19/1666643.htm Unsniffable fuel program a success: Abbott Mr Abbott also says he is concerned about growing abuse of kava in Indigenous communities and wants the Northern Territory Government to review its regulation of the substance. Mr Abbott says he has been advised that kava is being consumed at up to 100 times the average rate in some communities. 20 Jun 2006 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/06/20/1666820.htm Govt should back up kava claims: NT The Northern Territory Government says the Commonwealth should substantiate claims that kava is being used at 100 times the average rate in some remote Indigenous communities. Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott yesterday requested that the Territory Government review its regulation of the substance. Mr Abbott told Federal Parliament that kava is being abused in eight Arnhem Land communities. A spokeswoman for the Territory Licensing Minister Syd Stirling says a national ban is the only effective way to deal with the problem. 27 Jun 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/06/27/1963761.htm Fed Govt cracks down on kava The Federal Government is trying to stamp out kava abuse in Indigenous communities, by cracking down on the importation of the substance. It is particularly prevalent in communities in far north Australia. All licenses to sell kava will be revoked in three months. But adults will be allowed to bring up to two kilograms of the substance in recognition of its traditional cultural use for Pacific Islanders. 28 Jun 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/06/28/1964300.htm 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. 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. 28 Jun 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/06/28/1964973.htm Kava ban will only create more problems, says wholesaler A wholesaler of kava near Nhulunbuy in eastern Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory says banning the substance will cause more problems than it solves. 4 Jul 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/04/1969220.htm Kava crackdown could starve communities of revenue A Northern Territory council co-ordinator fears a crackdown on kava could mean communities will miss out on initiatives that benefit local residents. In some Top End Indigenous communities profit from the sale of the drink is reinvested in community projects. But the Federal Government has banned the commercial importation of kava to try to address social problems. The Yirrkala Dhanbul Council Co-ordinator Adrian Rota says he is concerned people will just drink more alcohol instead. 31 Jul 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/31/1992453.htm Wholesaler worries kava ban will lead to drug abuse The sole wholesaler of kava in the Northern Territory says it expects legal kava supplies to run out in Arnhem Land over the next few weeks as a result of the Lanaphuy Homelands Association in Arnhem Land supplies five retailers and has strongly opposed the ban, arguing kava is not as damaging as alcohol and tobacco. ..and its over... 15 Aug 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/15/2006088.htm Brough to ban kava in Indigenous communities Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough says kava will be outlawed in remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory by the end of the week. Mr Brough his Commonwealth survey team was kicked out of Yirrkala in north-east Arnhem Land on Monday in protest to kava bans. 17 Aug 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/17/2008393.htm Intervention bills will let Govt 'do what is necessary' Meanwhile, Mr Brough has apologised to the people of Yirrkala in north-east Arnhem Land for comments he made about kava abuse. He told the ABC on Wednesday that people in Yirrkala were in a "fog of substance abuse". 23 Aug 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/23/2012707.htm Kava ban 'sparks black market boom' Kava ban sparks black market boom Posted August 23, 2007 09:00:00. A remote Northern Territory council says an illegal trade in alcohol and marijuana is booming because of the Federal Government s new ban on kava imports. 24 Aug 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/24/2014412.htm Kava seller sends Fed Govt $500,000 bill A Northern Territory kava retailer has sent the Federal Government a bill for more than $500,000, and a kava wholesaler is planning to follow suit. The organisations say it is a condition of their licences that kava profits go back into the community. 3 Sep 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/03/2022735.htm NT kava ban 'not to blame' for alcohol problems Police in East Arnhem Land say an increase in alcohol related problems over the weekend can only partially be blamed on the ban on kava. The officer in charge of Nhulunbuy Police, Tony Fuller, says it is not only the kava ban causing the problems. 8 Oct 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/08/2053442.htm NT kava ban needs to be backed by education: study An academic who has just completed a study on the use of kava in the Nhulunbuy area says the Northern Territory Government s policy regarding the traditional drink is racist and NT kava ban needs to be backed by education. 8 Oct 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/08/2053741.htm NT kava ban report 'flawed' NT kava ban report flawed Posted October 8, 2007 14:41:00. Laynhupuy Home Lands Association Deputy CEO Rick Norton says a report of the Territory Government s kava policy is flawed. 6 Aug 2008 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/06/2325672.htm 'Tough on crime' not enough, say Christian voters The leaders of the Northern Territory's two main political parties have been asked to go beyond their "tough on crime" slogans and talk about how they will address the root cause of crime to win the Christian vote. Both leaders also told the meeting that lifting the ban on kava, banned during last year's intervention, was not on the cards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MindExpansion Posted September 16, 2008 Kava seller sends Fed Govt $500,000 billA Northern Territory kava retailer has sent the Federal Government a bill for more than $500,000, and a kava wholesaler is planning to follow suit. The organisations say it is a condition of their licences that kava profits go back into the community. Hah, what a fucking joke, not only are they opening a black market for kava, they are increasing both the illegal and legal trade for alcohol, and the trades for things like MJ, but they are taking millions out of the community... But oh no, save us from the kava monster. Thanks for the post Sina Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
t st tantra Posted September 16, 2008 very interesting ,if nonsensical...... so kava had some illegality in 2003 ? anyone know who the academic claiming liver damage in the indigenous population is? t s t . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stinkmeat Posted September 16, 2008 Thanks for posting Sina. Nice corrolation of articles. I always thought the ban was stupid, but didn't realise how much the government had contradicted themselves. It's farked that they have left not only the Australian indigenous community, but also the Melanesian with issues that they both don't need. And like t st tantra said touched on, what's the go with the raids and illegality of kava back in 2003? Stink Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajna Posted September 17, 2008 (edited) double post Edited September 17, 2008 by ajna Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajna Posted September 17, 2008 thanks sina just something i came across re hepatotoxicity of extracts and pills a little while ago the root (or water extracts of) contain significant amounts of glutathione which may help to protect the liver. just to add to the nonsense http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=A...1d63267c82e97cb Kava lactones and the kava-kava controversyAbstract Kava-kava is a traditional beverage of the South Pacific islanders and has had centuries of use without major side effects. Standardised extracts of kava-kava produced in Europe have led to many serious health problems and even to death. The extraction process (aqueous vs. acetone in the two types of preparations) is responsible for the difference in toxicity as extraction of glutathione in addition to the kava lactones is important to provide protection against hepatotoxicity. The Michael reaction between glutathione and kava lactones, resulting in opening of the lactone ring, reduces the side effects of the kava kava extracts. This protective activity was demonstrated using Acanthamoebae castellanii in which 100% cell death occurred with 100 mg ml−1 kava lactones alone, and 40% cell death with a mixture of 100 mg ml −1glutathione and 100 mg ml −1 kava lactones. A comparison of kava lactone toxicity with other pharmaceutical products is discussed and recommendations made for safe usage of kava-kava products Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MindExpansion Posted September 17, 2008 TST, there appears to be quite some literature on the hepatotoxicity of kava. One article suggests that it may be due to effects on hepatic mitochondria, which disrupt the metabolic chain and lead to apoptosis of the effected cells. An interesting looking article (Have only read the abstract myself... too little time too much to do) is: Gounder, R. (2006). Kava consumption and its health effects. Pacific Health Dialogue, 13(2), 131-135 Peace Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conan Troutman Posted September 17, 2008 Anyone have reference to the Federal Gov reassessing decision after lobbying from Pacific Islander groups? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Legba Posted September 17, 2008 The comparisons between drinking kava and sniffing solvents is disgraceful. I have shared Kava as a guest of Tongan Royalty. I shudder to think what they would make of that. The way kava is viewed by those who support the banning have dismissed the cultural relevance and appear totally ignorant (or worse, dismissive) of the wrongs they are inflicting on the cultures that have been using kava for countless generations. The recent program on foreign correspondent mentioned a protest against the kava ban before the govt but i cant find any info on it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
teonanacatl Posted September 18, 2008 nicely done sina Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WoodDragon Posted October 6, 2008 I'm curious. Upon what controlled, double-blind clinical studies, investigating long-term use and liver damage, was the kava ban instituted? After all, the government must have some evidence of clinical effect if the hepatotoxicity slant was taken into account. And if there was no toxicological reason for the ban, what testable evidence of social detriment was gathered? And what post-ban comparison of social indicators was/is planned to confirm the reason for any sociologically-based prohibition? If there is no scientific evidence available, isn't this just an ideological ban? Doesn't it then border on an almost fascist infringment of civil liberties? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Torsten Posted October 6, 2008 well said wooddragon. the whole thing is ridiculous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piper678 Posted December 5, 2008 anyone know who the academic claiming liver damage in the indigenous population is? t s t . Allan Clough. And when Menzies School of Health were asked source of funding under Freedom of Information for this blokes "studies" they quoted over $6000.00 the highest ever. The whole thing is dodgy, especially when you learn his wife was sacked from the exact same place that all the negative studies were done on, and then became best friends with one aging economist, no science background, Ms. Helen Hughes who presented the "paper" to have kava made prescription only. Clough has bolted camp to Townsville now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piper678 Posted December 5, 2008 Anyone have reference to the Federal Gov reassessing decision after lobbying from Pacific Islander groups? "looking into it" still. And no submissions for the lifting of the prescription ban will be heard until Feb. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
