AJ Philips,

Dealing with your last para first, it could be argued by Western science, thinking of psychology especially, that we have no idea at all how our decisions are made. Of course others might put up counter views, including naturally enough criticism of our (Western) propensity to ignore or discount 5,000 years of Eastern contemplation of thinking.

The models of good values and behaviour and the heroes that were previously available to children and youth and were valuable during the trials of adolescence and achieving adulthood have been under increasing threat for some time. Maybe too, some of the questioning where it occurs and is done reasonably, is justified. Perhaps more often than not, the baby was thrown out with the bathwater too.

The biggest (development) gap I see is in the restricted opportunities for children and youth to take (calculated) risks that can help them to test themselves and strike new and constructive, positive paths different as they are necessarily must be to realise their independence from their parents.

Where schools don't even permit children, boys and girls, to play 'Red Rover' in the lunch break, or to climb trees in the park, we are overvaluing a false 'safety'. Similarly it was a damned stupid thing to do to de-tune previous risky boys pastimes or even to ban them, so that girls might have equality of outcome.

Essentially, where we don't allow boys and girls to take risks that are worthwhile in their perception, they will find gangs and the drugs and other diversions that go with that culture.

But even apart from all of that, there remains the simple incontrovertible fact that the greatest majority of people do not offend, well not seriously and not against other humans, but a small percentage do and notwithstanding the counselling, assistance and even punishments they are given.

I am asking that where the allocation of taxpayers money is concerned, that priority should be given to where there will be the return.

AJPhilips,

The thought crossed my mind that there are parallels between what we are now doing to older people, our own kin, by prioritising safety as the first consideration in aged care. It is restricting their independence, choice, impoverishing their later years and probably resulting in shorter survival times after being placed in institutions.

Such limitations and even bans are not just because of 'insurance demands' although that is usually given as the excuse, and in schools too. Short-sighted 'do gooders' are demanding it.

It would not surprise me at all if over-regulation isn't having the opposite effect to that intended by the control freaks who constantly demand more laws.

Hi there PHILIP S.

You mentioned a series of stats. apropos America's miserable attempt to interdict drugs. The number of Drug raids I've been involved in, reminded me what an old Inspector once said...you can't arrest your way out of this illicit drug business. And he was so right, and still is.

Education is probably the best start in curbing this awful trade. Knocking off the financiers, those at the top. Would be a plan as well? Cut off the snakes head will go a long way, at least by slowing it down. In Malaysia and Singapore they regularly execute traffickers, and it still hasn't interrupted the drug trade significantly? I saw it in confirmed in an article of the Singapore's 'Straits Times', can't recall the edition I'm sorry? Thanks for your contribution PHILIP S.

Hi there LEOJ...

Mate I'm buggered if I know. I'm a veteran and I recall vividly blokes obtaining weed from the yanks!

I guess it's the way some are brought up, if you come from a bad environment, or from poor circumstances, battling to put food on the table, crime seems to be a good way out. Especially if Dad is a poor role model, often pissed, gives Mum a regular flogging, all the poor little bugger wants, is to get out, they fall into bad company and the rest as they say, is history?

Look LEOJ, you'll get no argument from me, I guess that's why many social scientists get paid the big bucks trying to provide the right answers. I was a pug back in the late sixties, to the mid seventies, I fought initially 3 x 3 rounds up to regular 8 x 3 rds. even when I was in the job. Commissioner approved of course as long as you didn't bring disrepute to yourself or the job. Anyway, I always loved to blue, I could've just as easily hurt someone in a street stink and entirely wrecked my life and career! I think they call it 'happenstance' or something - Thanks for your contribution LEOJ.

the increase in drug usage both legal and illegal is the fruit of our society that has trashed absolutes. We are all responsible. Families structures and authorities have been destroyed by secular dogma that places the rights of the individual above the betterment of society. The increase in child abuse, violence, rebellion and divorce coincides with the decrease in our spiritual condition. We have replaced right and wrong with what is right and wrong for me. As in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah or as the days of Noah certainly sows us the end result.

Hi there SHADOW MINISTER...

Emmmm, you might be right, though it depends whether the matter is dealt with by the magistracy and not bumped-up to the District Court (Criminal Jurisdiction). Provided as well that it's not a Capital Offence, either.

Unfortunately many indigenous youths are handled far more harshly by some Courts, than really necessary. And in some instances, the courts are more lenient then they should be as well.

There doesn't appear to be any real consistency with the lower Courts, when it comes to young offenders per se. I honestly believe, some members of the judiciary do harbour some personal prejudices when it comes to younger offenders, and this is quite puzzling, given the high profile young aboriginal men and women receive, both at State and Federal level as well.

Thank you for your contribution SHADOW MINISTER, I do appreciate it, very much indeed.

G'day DOOG...

Introduce these young first-timers to military styled discipline? A tremendous idea I reckon. I wonder though if the discipline would actually work? When they're free, they wouldn't submit to societies rules, and simple standards of behaviour. Why then would they submit themselves to anything else? A great idea, if it would work?

Thanks for your contribution DOOG, it's appreciated.

'evening to you RUNNER...

I'm not at all a religious man, nevertheless much of what you say I agree, in principle. Over the last couple of decades we've seen the escalating erosion and breakdown of the family unit, where many siblings seem not to heed the basic rules and discipline of the family? Therefore the kid leaves home in a 'huff', with an entirely distorted perception of exactly where it is, they see themselves fitting-in to the community?

Years ago I recall quite clearly, we picked up this 19 year old real 'Joe Cool' for some minor matter, who in normal course of events would've been cut loose after we'd processed him. This stupid 'failed rocket scientist', managed to talk himself into a couple of nights in the overcrowded cells all through his 'motor mouth'.

That's OK, we'd normally just ignored him, and others like him, because we're generally too busy doing the paperwork. But he did manage to get up the nose of this regular 'boob rat' who was trying to get a bit of sleep in the noisy cells, from what I heard. Anyway, the long and short of it, our big mouthed hero, got a thorough flogging, necessitating his admission to St Vincent's Hospital across the Road, all through his big mouth?

Usually on Friday and Saturday nights Darlinghurst Station, gets very very busy and always under staffed. The cellular area usually has a dedicated staff of a Sergeant in Charge, and two or three constables to assist.

Some months later I noticed the same bloke had ultimately ended up on the 'Four-wheels' list, (Transport out to Long Bay) He got himself 3 months in the 'go slow', on an entirely unrelated matter?

Which tells me he'll probably never ever learn RUNNER. Despite the 'title' of this specific Topic. There are some individuals who'd you'd never be able to assist, irrespective what you tried to do for them.

Many thanks for your contribution RUNNER I do appreciate it.