Curbs on kava imports drive Pacific islanders to alcohol

It looks like old washing up water and tastes little better, but for centuries kava has underpinned the cultural traditions of South Pacific peoples living at home and abroad.

The murky liquid is served in coconut shells from a large central bowl and acts as a social lubricant for ceremonies, weddings, birthdays and funerals, just as alcohol is used in other societies.

Sitting down at the end of the day with a big bowl of kava is also viewed by some South Pacific people as a popular way of relaxing, as well as a way of resolving disputes between neighbours or villages.

So when the Australian government decided last year to strictly limit the import of kava from South Pacific nations, there was anger from the 100,000 expatriate islanders based in Australia.

There are claims that a ban on commercial imports of kava is fuelling a sharp rise in violence and anti-social behaviour among Australia's Pacific island communities, as young people take to drink and drugs instead. The tough restrictions on kava were imposed 12 months ago by the then government of prime minister John Howard because of concerns that it was being abused by Aborigines, who were consuming vast quantities of the herbal drug, often in conjunction with alcohol.

It was a potent cocktail that left many remote Aboriginal townships, particularly in the Northern Territory, even more blighted by dysfunction and despair than was normally the case.