1. Introduction -- 2. Anthropological views of 'the problem of drinking' -- 3. Policies and practices : putting Aborigines 'in their place' -- 4. The social and historical background of the Wellesley Islands -- 5. Changing relationships between the generations -- 6. 'Try-ask' and 'knock-back' -- 7. The snake -- 8. The shire and the canteen -- 9. The destruction of the community and of the self -- 10. Childhood and formal education -- 11. Law and the police -- 12. The built environment -- 13. 'You can't stop native people from drinking'? -- 14. Why isn't something done? -- 15. Conclusions
Summary
Annotation David Mcknight assesses the effects that alcohol has had on a small aboriginal community. He explores why drinking has become the main social activity, leading to high levels of illness, suicide and homicide
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 228-234) and index