By Kaitlyn Offer, Midland-Kalamunda Reporter
SUBSTANCE abuse, crime, safety and violence are the most important issues facing Australia according to WA youth and Indigenous people across the nation.
According to the largest survey of Australia’s young people, Mission Australia found local youth considered alcohol and drugs as a national concern (39 per cent) as well as crime safety and violence (20.4 per cent).
Indigenous youth were even more likely to see the two issues as a concern, with substances at 40.8 per cent and crime at 22.2 per cent.
Family and friends were also highly valued by all young people and Indigenous youth were more likely to value getting employment.
The State Department of Indigenous Affairs said the results were similar to their findings.
A spokesperson said several government departments had programs in place to help Indigenous youth get employment and avoid substance abuse.
"Indigenous youth and adults have higher rates of arrest, incarceration and alcohol substance abuse than non-Indigenous people," they said.
"In WA, Aboriginal adult males make up 38.5 per cent of the prison population.
"This high prison rate has resulted in a lack of role models for some Aboriginal children and young people."