Australia

The Australian government expends an estimated $1.7 billion on responding to illicit drugs every year, with policing comprising 64% of this expenditure. One core assumption underpinning this investment is that police can deter, discourage or prevent drug offending. It is argued that drug laws and enforcement of those laws will reduce involvement in drug use and trafficking. But, there remains very limited research into the extent or nature of deterrent effects. One cause of this gap is methodological.

The idea of youth at risk has become central to a range of discourses, academic and professional. In the regional and global contexts of significant social, economic and technical change, narratives of risk and uncertainty are widespread  Young people, meanwhile, are seen both as a treasured resource and as endangered and dangerous—at risk.

By Gerry Georgatos - courtesy of The Stringer - http://thestringer.com.au/ - Last year I founded a campaign to urge of the implementation of the Custody Notification Service (CNS) across the nation but without delay in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. In meeting Federal Ministers and State Governments I implored the wisdom of this move – in reference to the saving of lives. In NSW, the CNS has led to zero lives lost of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders detained in police watch houses – since 1998.

By Gerry Georgatos - courtesy of The Stringer - http://thestringer.com.au/ - 18 years young, Phillinka died on October 18 last year. At the time, at her anguished mother’s request I wrote of the loss of Phillinka and of so many others in the Kimberley. I am once again in the Kimberley – surrounded by the most pristine nature and by the loss of so many young lives.