SW Qld treats 'epidemic'

Roundtable meetings on the growing epidemic of social issues in Charleville and Cunnamulla this month were attended by representatives from the Aboriginal Medical Services and Health Services, local councillors and mayors, police officers, teachers and student leaders.

Murweh Shire Mayor Dennis Cook said the Charleville meeting had identified a need to partner with stakeholders to share resources more effectively. The authority had now been given for the community to work with state and federal governments to see what policy changes and targeted programs could be introduced to make a difference, and provide opportunities and support for Charleville youth.

"Our focus is on ensuring everyone living in Charleville has the opportunity to become a productive member of our community and has the opportunity to realise their full potential," he said. "We love this town. We want to live here. We want to work here. We need to make sure or young people have every opportunity to have a future here."

Charleville and Western Areas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Community Health Service CEO Sheryl Lawton said the forum had instilled a collaborative approach.

"There were a lot of good people here and we all have a lot to contribute, and by joining forces we can make a bigger impact," she said.

Ms Lawton said several practical outcomes from the meeting could be implemented straight away.

"We are all feeling re-energised and we all know we can turn the tide in our community. It starts with us."

At the Cunnamulla meeting, the community endorsed a plan to approach government departments to work on a holistic approach to implementation of targeted programs in the town.

South West Hospital and Health Service Board chairman and Paroo Shire Mayor Lindsay Godfrey said the issues Cunnamulla faced were intertwined.

"There isn't just one problem, so there isn't just one solution. We need to build partnerships between all the stakeholders so we can effectively access different budget streams to implement the strategies we need to make a difference for our young people," he said.

Local police officers also told the meeting that increased arrest and prosecution rates would not stop antisocial behaviour.

Cr Godfrey said last week's meetings were the beginning of an ongoing dialogue.

"We will be coming back with information and asking for feedback. Think of this as an ongoing 'live' workshop."

POLICING is only one part of the puzzle, says South West Police District Superintendent Maurice Poiner.

“Law and order issues can be a symptom of an underlying aspect of life,” he said.

“The community needs to look at the picture as a whole and pinpoint exactly what the problem is, and then determine how to address it. The police are happy to be a part of the solution, but we can’t do it on our own and the community has to work with us.”

Superintendent Poiner has been a police officer for 35 years. He said he genuinely believed kids were trying to do the best they could with the circumstances that existed in their lives.

“Kids are not bad – it’s just a situation where sometimes circumstances drive them to make bad decisions.”