Kava smuggling damaging NT communities

Northern Territory communities fear Kava smuggling into the region is fuelling social problems and causing financial stress.

NT Police told the ABC the amount of kava being smuggled into communities had risen dramatically in recent years.

Kava is banned in the Territory because it has been misused by many, with the Arnhem Land region the worst affected.

“Those people who smuggle kava find there’s a bit of pocket money that they create, but it doesn’t help the people out here,” Mulka representative Yingiya Guyula told the NT legislative assembly.

Police said they had intercepted kava bound for remote communities, with an increase in seizures over the past six months.

Locals believe the ban has never worked — and say it should be relaxed.

Mr Guyula told the ABC many people saw drinking kava — with its relaxing effects — a less harmful alternative to alcohol and other drugs.