Fed: Child asylum seekers taking medication for depression

AAP General News (Australia)
02-02-2004
Fed: Child asylum seekers taking medication for depression

The Australian Democrats say many of the child asylum seekers detained on Nauru are
taking medication for depression and anxiety.

Democrats leader ANDREW BARTLETT says mental illness is the biggest problem affecting
the 284 asylum seekers on Nauru, 93 of whom are children.

Senator BARTLETT visited the Pacific island for four days last month to investigate
conditions among the detainees.

He says the situation is unacceptable and an alernative solution to mandatory detention
must be found.

The asylum seekers have been detained on Nauru for more than two years under the government's
so-called Pacific Solution to border protection.

AAP RTV jhm/sc/sco/wjf

KEYWORD: DETENTION BARTLETT (BRISBANE)

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