The most popular illicit drug across Australia – cannabis – is heavily used in NPY communities, with very severe consequences. While there is no definitive data on cannabis use in the NPY region or Central Australia generally, there is no doubt that it is an enormous problem and consumption has been very much on the increase for a decade or more2. Research in three East Arnhem Land communities in the Top End of the NT has documented ‘endemic’ levels of usage, ‘with over 70% of males and 20% of females being current users,’ around twice the consumption of regular cannabis users elsewhere in Australia3. Further, in a five-year follow-up study the ‘great majority’ reported continuing heavy use, indicating more than mere adolescent experimentation.Aboriginal people are four to five times more likely than other Australians to be hospitalised for mental or behavioural disorders as a result of psychoactive substance misuse5. While there is a lack of regional or national data on the connection between cannabis use and mental health disorders and or suicide, research in the East Arnhem Land communities indicates ‘ a strong association between heavy cannabis use and moderate – severe depressive symptoms’ with ‘nearly a third of females and one in six males reporting moderate – severe symptoms.’