Helping children with drug and alcohol addiction deemed 'near impossible'

Community leaders have called for urgent action after footage emerged of a wild Port Augusta street brawl that involved young children.

At least 20 Aboriginal people were filmed fighting on Seaview Road last week, with experts warning alcohol and drug-fuelled violence is rife.

“It’s going to be like this for a long time unless South Australia starts looking at something that is really rehabilitative,” Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement spokesperson Tauto Sansbury said.

The experts warned too many children as young as 12 are falling through the cracks, with the brawl not a one-off incident.

“The figures are pretty starling – Aboriginal kids in Australia represent about 3 per cent of all kids in Australia and they’re 50 per cent of kids who are locked up tonight,” Professor Rick Sarre said.

But with help programs targeting adults, Mr Sansbury warns children are getting left behind.

“Getting help for a child with drug and alcohol addiction is near impossible as most of the services only treat adults," he said.

“You can’t just deal with something when they turn 18 and it’s out of control.

“We need to control when they’re young.”