Opal fuel back in Doomadgee as petrol sniffing fears increase
SunSunday 20
Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire council has voted to reintroduce low aromatic fuel into the town.
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The Indigenous shire of Doomadgee, in north west Queensland, is in the process of swapping from unleaded fuel to a low aromatic variety designed so it cannot be sniffed to get high.
Key points:
Doomadgee health services did not record a single presentation for petrol sniffing treatment when the shire last had Opal fuel
The fuel contains less of the toxic compounds that allow sniffers to get high
When Opal fuel was removed from the area hospital presentations increased significantly, as did concerns about criminal activity