The driver asked a pertinent question: “Les, how are we going to keep weapons off the terrorists if we cannot keep weapons out of the hands of our children?”
The sad truth is that our disaffected youth - I'd prefer to call them socially excluded youth - are the ones most likely to take drugs, join gangs and use weapons.
These are the kids I work with every day – the ones who have become disillusioned and angry; often drug addicted and violent because they think non-one cares.
As founder of the 20th Man Youth Fund, which started over 30 years ago in Melbourne and has now moved into western Sydney, I’ve seen too many kids die.
But we’ve also saved many kids. We keep going because we know it’s not a hopeless situation. First we all need to be aware of the problems.
Below the surface of our major cities we have ghettos that have spawned gangs of young people who terrorise our communities.
Members of gangs and extremist groups are most likely to be without access to stable family or community ties. They often drop out of schools early and don't have any real hope. They are often what we call lost souls.
Gangs can give these kids a sense of belonging. For them, gang life can seem sexy but the charm is distorted.
I know of Afghan kids in south western Sydney who are being recruited into the gangs by extremist firebrands who feed their insecurities and feelings of disillusionment. If they try to leave they are told they have to pay up to $10,000 or get a bullet in the leg.
A lot of these gang kids are now carrying weapons. In some areas, gang violence has become so drastic that most kids carry weapons whether or not they are linked to a gang. It’s the only way they feel safe.
And of course, the violence is often linked to drugs, particularly Ice. Ice makes people paranoid, and aggressive. Ice addicts are just like dangerous robots, all juiced up and ready for war.
Admission to hospitals for Ice-related psychosis have risen rapidly, as have bashings, robberies, murders and other crimes linked to use of the drug.
I witness a world where the poor are often seen as dysfunctional and the disenfranchised and alienated are merely statistics to some academics.
Some say poverty is the culprit. And it is. Not just the physical poverty that alienates youth but the spiritual and moral poverty - the poverty of caring.
What we all have to fight – parents, youth workers and teachers - is the mindset. Gangs, drugs and radicalisation are symptoms of far bigger social problems shaped by racial and ethnic oppression, as well as poverty and slums.
A crucial part of winning the war is offering at-risk kids viable and meaningful alternatives to a self-destructive and violent way of life.
The 20th Man Youth Fund uses a variety of services and programs, including education, sport and support centres to do that.
Our battle as youth workers is always to find ways to stimulate kids to make better lives for themselves. Sport and education is our prime focus.
After launching in western Sydney 12 months ago, we have set up free training sessions and community sports and healthy lifestyle clinics around different codes of football, with the help of the ASA Junior Football Academy; the GWS Giants and the Penrith Panthers.
We’ve also taken part in an arts programs in conjunction with Blacktown City Council.
Di Groves, the CEO of Astute Training, one of western Sydney’s largest registered training organisations, is Managing our programs, and a team of high-profile “Ambassadors” including Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson, AFL Hall of Famer Kevin Sheedy, former Rugby League great and media celebrity Mark Geyer, young NRL star Blake Austin, Asian Cup CEO Michael Brown and 2GB host Chris Smith, is helping us keep kids “off the streets” and make a positive contribution to their local community.
Police Superintendent Deb Wallace, Commander of the Gangs Squad, is also providing advice and support and The Premier Communications Group, one of western Sydney’s most respected PR firms is handling our media, community engagement and government relations.
Our foundation sponsor in western Sydney is Guardian Funerals, which owns and operates funeral homes, cemeteries and crematoria. It’s wonderful that such an organisation is helping to give new life to the kids who most need a helping hand.
We’re calling on other corporates to come on board and help us make a difference. It's time we all took a stand to be positive influences. Every kid is precious. Every kid deserves a chance for a good life.
About the author: Les Twentyman, OAM, is one of Australia’s most recognised youth campaigners. He is the Founder of Melbourne’s 20th Man Youth Fund, which is dedicated to providing counseling, education, recreation and support resources to our ‘at-risk’ youth. Its Chief Patron is the Governor General of Australia, Sir Peter Cosgrove. The 20th Man Youth Fund has expanded its programs into western Sydney and here Les gives his insights into the social issues impacting our youth.
