Amphetamine and Alcohol-Related Crime and Disorder in the Pilbara Region - Case Study Example

Pilbara Drug Abuse and Crime Student’s Name Institution Date of Submission Contents OVERVIEW BACKGROUND 5 PROBLEM STATEMENT 6 OBJECTIVES 6 LITERATURE REVIEW 7 Drug Abuse 7 Crime and Violence 8 Western Australia Demography 9 Drug Abuse in Australia 10 Amphetamine 10 Alcohol 11 Crime in Western Australia (Pilbara Region) 12 METHODOLOGY 14 Procedure 14 Survey 14 Sample 15 Demographics 15 FINDINGS 16 Alcohol Consumption 16 Amphetamine Use 16 Crime, Violence and Drug Abuse 16 Effect of Crime and Drug Abuse In Pilbara Community 18 Health Impacts 18 Family Impact 19 Economic Cost 20 CONCLUSION 22 RECOMMENDATION 23 WA Police Service 23 Department Of Community Development 24 Department Of Education And Training 24 Department Of Justice 24 REFERENCES 26 INTRODUCTION Drug abuse is an international problem that requires the political, social, economic and environmental attention to set measures in the efforts of eradicating the menace. The prevalence of substance misuse at local and international levels is mainly in detained population. The relationship between the abuse of drugs and crime is complex and dynamic. Goldstein (1985) uses the tripartite model to explain the relationship between crime and drug addiction to showcase criminal behavior. For example; intoxication which causes antisocial behavior, together with criminal behavior from the psychopharmacological model, crime posed by the need to satisfy a drug habit results to the economic-compulsive model and the use and supply of narcotics in the market causes crime under the systematic model (Goldstein, 1985). Western Australia currently experiences high crime rates due to substance abuse and which continues to cause moral panic in the region. Crime rates in Australia have an estimated cost of $36 billion yearly (AIC 2009). The use of drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, and amphetamine have been the trend in the region, leading to an increase in the crime rate. Drug-related crimes have increased gradually in the region which has now reached alarming levels and calls for the attention of both the citizens and the government. Drug use rise in the region is as a result of their availability and accessibility in the market. Governmental efforts of tackling the issue have continually failed to address the increase in drug abuse and turn; the crime rates have continued to upsurge over time. One of the region under focus in the assessment includes Pilbara region in Western Australia which has showcased increase in drug use and crime concurrently. The availability of alcohol and illicit drugs in the area, due to poor government policies, has increased. The substance abuse related crime from the National Drug Research Institute indicates a crisis in the region if no measures are taken to address the menace. OVERVIEW BACKGROUND Western Australia, and in particular Pilbara has achieved international status about drug abuse and crime rates in the region. Pilbara stands amidst a crisis of drug abuse in the area with amphetamine gaining popularity in the community. The result of its abuse leads to health related issues on the user and community harms which include violence and crime. Another contributing drug, about increased crime rates, include alcohol. Alcohol abuse has gained fame among the indigenous people in Pilbara and particular illicit alcohol (Goldstein, 1985). The region continues to face this epidemic because of the policies set by the government which aims to reduce rather than eradicates the problem. The war on drug in the region has been politicized with different political parties talking big on the issues related to substance abuse such as strict measures on criminals but reluctantly do nothing at the end. Since the year 1985, Australia took an approach on drug wars that aims at “harm minimization.” The approach was under three pillars where demand reduction, supply reduction, and harm minimization were there the main points of focus. Demand reduction involves services that relate to treatment and preventive strategies with an aim to reduce drug abuse (Goldstein, 1985). Supply reduction puts its focus on the reduction of supply of illegal drugs through law enforcement such as the border control unit and the police. Harm reduction, as the last approach to minimization of harm, acknowledges the fact that despite the previous two pillars, some people will still continue with their drug use habit. It aims to reduce the harm that associates with substance abuse. The approach in itself showcases the government’s effort in fighting illicit drugs but failure in acknowledging that some parts are more affected than other, with its equitable funding in the different regions on the war against drugs. The continued rising levels of alcohol and amphetamine use in the Pilbara region, among the indigenous people indicate the failure of the approach in implementing different policies. Staged drug busts witnessed on media by the policing agencies and politicians who enjoy popularity, do not only cover up the misuse of tax payer’s money in combating the issue but also hiding the ineffective, counter-productive and costly set policies. (Goldstein, 1985). PROBLEM STATEMENT Western Australia region has the highest drug abuse rates in all of Australia. Among the top region in Western Australia that faces this problem include Pilbara. Pilbara faces both crime and drug abuse at high rates, which prompts the question of whether the two events are interrelated. Among the two most common drugs in the market include amphetamine and alcohol which are famous among the indigenous community. What is the state of Amphetamine-type stimulants and alcohol-related crime and disorder in the Pilbara policing districts of Western Australia community? The above problem statement will allow the assessment of the region on drug abuse (amphetamine and alcohol) and crime levels in the community. OBJECTIVES To fund out the level of Amphetamine-type stimulants and alcohol use in Pilbara policing district. To find out if drug use and crime rates in Pilbara region are related. LITERATURE REVIEW Drug abuse has gained global recognition and achieved the status of a worldwide phenomenon in almost every country, though variation occurs to the extent in the country in question. Most commonly abused ad used substance in the world include alcohol, cannabis, and cigarettes. Other drugs of the likes of cocaine and amphetamine are gaining popularity among the poor communities who want a quick high from using the drugs. The abuse of such drugs brings harm to the communities through drug-related crimes and health deterioration effects. The misuse of the drug as mentioned earlier lead to chronic illness in the case of cigarette smoking (cancer), injury in the event of a drunkard and preventable deaths. Drug Abuse Any substance that changes the general functional of the body or minds apart from food take the definition of drugs. The sources of drugs include plants in the field or its synthesis in the lab. Drugs categorization takes the form of legal, illegal or harmful. This abuse occurs when the drugs are used for another purpose rather than for medication, or the defiance of medical prescription for personal means. The means of drug or substance abuse vary according to the users. One of the ways of using drugs involves those taken in large quantity once, and those take at short intervals in doses. Drug prescription has importance about healing or aiding in different medical conditions, and its use regularly past the prescribed date or consumption for not intended purpose be also known as drug abuse. The use of a drug with other not prescribed drugs knowingly or unknowingly is substance abuse. Some combination of prescribed and non-prescribed drugs may be lethal to the body and even cause death (Bennett and Holloway, 2007). Different people abuse drugs for numerous reasons. Most of the addicts trace their stories back to the curiosity of their effect. Another reason includes its availability in the market and the social and emotional pressure among peers. Some cultures, due to traditions may introduce an individual to drugs at a very tender age for various ceremonies. However, to address the international phenomenon, several international meetings have taken place to curb the menace. A good example is that of 1990, at a special session of the United Nations. Mr. Perez de Cuellar, during the meeting, stated that if no measures or mitigations are set to tackle the menace of drug abuse, it will continue to be a ticking time bomb among the hearts of civilization which can lead to the destruction of the future generations. Crime and Violence The definition of the crime has evolved over time, with different authors and scholars basing their definition with their experiences. Tappan (1947) defines crime as an act of violation of criminal law (case and statutory law) committed in the absence of defense or excuses, and which the States penalize as misdemeanor or felony. Brown, Esbensen, and Geis (1996) argue on three classes of crimes under a typology of victimless, violent and economic. The view on violent crimes amongst people makes it the most serious of the three typology due to the fear of death or serious injuries in the event it takes place. Brown et al., (1996) discusses on what violent crimes entail on traditions and ideologies of a community and its implication on individuals behavior. The author states that violent crimes in nature, no matter an individual’s perceptions, entail murder, rape, assault and robbery. Economic crime, on the other hand, is committed by people who are unwilling or unable to acquire money or goods in a legal manner. Crime does not occur naturally in the world but rather has some factors that fuel it. The factors are dependent on age and gender, poverty and unemployment, substance abuse and public tolerance of crime. Larzelere and Patterson (1990) states that from previous studies examining an individual’s experience showcases that the population living on the lower end of the socioeconomic status have a high likelihood of participating in the crime. The socioeconomic status from the above description has the characteristic of unemployment and poverty. Fagan and Freeman (1999) argue that crime leads to poverty and employment since historical background that has a criminal record may prevent an individual from getting work. Arguments that arise from substance abuse state that substance abuse such as alcohol consumption has a direct influence on crime rates within a community. For instance, Boynum and Kleiman (1995) argue that alcohol behavior studies have shown that it increases aggression; secondly, Jochelson (1997) claim that criminals have a tendency to cluster around liquor places and thirdly Stevenson (1996) argues that areas with high alcohol consumption rates incline towards high violence rates. When a community becomes reluctant to crimes and violence and accepts it as part of their urban culture, it not only becomes habitual but influential to the community, especially the young generation. Western Australia Demography The region has a population that stands at more than 2.2 million people, spread over a large area. Greater Perth contains the largest population of more than 1.7 million people living there, whereas the 500 000 live in the rest of Western Australia (ABS, 2013). 3.1 percent of the total population are of the origin of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders (ABS, 2011). Most of the non-indigenous population occupy major cities and the Perth metropolitan area whereas about 69 percent of the indigenous people live in a zone that is either remote or very remote. According to Country Health Service (2012), Pilbara’s population approximates 48,610 residents, with 16 percent represented by the ATSI people (approximately 7,830) of the total population. Drug Abuse in Australia Amphetamine The availability of amphetamine in Australia has been on the increase since the early 1990s. Secret labs of amphetamine started from about 50 in 1996 to more in 2002, about 250 (Ministerial Council on Drugs Strategy, 2004), although there was a slight decrease in its use between 2004 (3.2 percent) and 2007 (2.3 percent) (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2008). The amount of high-grade amphetamine detection across the Customs and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has been on the rise. Dyer and Cruickshank (2005), Lynch et al. (2003) and Wickes (1993) all argue that the use of amphetamine brings about physical, psychological, and social harm, violence and criminal behavior. According to the 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS), about seven percent of Australians aged 14 and over have experienced the use of amphetamines (AIHW, 2011). Those regular to the abuse of the drug are between the ages of 20-29 years, with about 5.9 percent claiming use within the past 12 months. From the above figures, amphetamine became the third most abused drug in Australia after Cannabis (10.3 percent) and Ecstasy (3.0 percent) (AIHW 2008). Pilbara region, in Western Australia, had the highest occurrence of amphetamine use (AIHW 2008). 4.2 percent of the surveyed population in Western Australia had an experience with the use of amphetamine within the previous 12 months, in comparison to 2.3 percent nationally. Alcohol Australia’s standard type of liquor from the early colonization period until the late 19th century is a spirit, which had a massive consumption in the country. Alcoholic consumption over the years has had a fluctuation on the economic prosperity of the country. Alcohol related issues in the country in 2010, cost the society an estimated $14.4 billion, except harm done to others, with revenues generated from alcohol from sales at around 7.08 billion (Manning et al., 2013). When put into consideration, the harm done by alcoholics has an estimated cost of about $36 billion or more (Laslett et al., 2010). The drinking pattern in Australia about age, amount, and population showcases the struggles of alcoholism in the country. 28.4 percent of Australians (one in every four) aged 14 years or above have consumed alcohol with the frequency of at least once in a month (Australian Institute of Health Welfare 2010). In the year 2010, the consumption percentage for the same age bracket, had consumers drinking to levels where alcohol-related injuries of a lifetime or diseases were a risk (Australian Institute of Health Welfare 2010). Over 50 percent of Australians who drink alcohol have drunk it to excess in the last 12 months (Mathew and Callinan, 2013). The Western Australia region records the highest per capita consumption (PCC) of alcohol in comparison to the national average. The year 2009-2010, saw the per capital consumption alcohol for the Western Australia region at 12.4 liters as compared to 10.3 liters of the whole country (Loxeley et al., 2012). The occurrence of harmful alcohol consumption for the indigenous community was twice as high as compared to the non-indigenous population use (Wilson et al., 2010). Crime in Western Australia (Pilbara Region) Loh et al. (2007) state that Western Australia increased in the number of arrests by 6.1 percent in from 2004 to 2005. In addition to these figures, arrests made outside the metropolitan in 2005 added up to 44 percent of all arrests. West Australia Police (2012) provide the statistic for Pilbara region which reflected the crime rate under the number of arrests in the area. Perth city, with a population, 38.4 times that of Pilbara, recorded only 2.7 times increased offenses than that of Pilbara in the duration 2011-2012. The statistics show the high crime rate levels within Pilbara region located in remote locations and relatively smaller population. The indigenous population arrest rate continuously been on the increase despite their composition to the general population. Loh et al. (2007) state that Western Australia’s native population arrest rate in 2005 was at a rate 8.1 times higher than that of the non-indigenous population. Carcach (2000), and Fernandez and Ferrante (1999) acknowledge that the uniqueness and complex nature of regional locations give distinct patterns about drug use and crime. The factors that contribute to these patterns include the economic position of the region, geographical location, and cultural or social dynamics. Pilbara, in the years between 2008 and 2009, showcased a population growth of about 3.1 percent, which made it Western Australia’s third fastest growing region (ABS 2010). The growing population could attest to increased levels of drug offenses in Pilbara, and which requires extensive research on the reason behind the growth. The past few years have reported a steady but small increase in drug-related crimes in the region (Western Australia Police, 2012). Cases of assault due to alcoholism were considerably high in Pilbara region than any other area in the whole of Western Australia (DOA 2013). The number of drug-related offense for the period of 2005-2006 to 2010-2011 of Pilbara accounted for more than three quarter (76.8 percent) of all cases during that time. During the same period, reports of non-domestic assault linked to drug abuse (alcohol) reached more than half (53.6 percent) for Pilbara as compared to almost one-third (38.6 percent) of Western Australia (DAO, 2013). METHODOLOGY The collection of data for the assessment and analysis of Pilbara region on drug abuse (Alcohol and Amphetamine) and Crime, together with their effect got analyzed from a secondary data source which was provided by Drug Use Monitoring in Australia (DUMA) under the following methodology to provide Contemporary Statistics. Modern Statistics helped establish the characteristic and pattern of the Pilbara demography for crime, drug use and alcohol for the detainees in South Hedland. It also aims to identify the difference in a geographical and socioeconomic factor which influence crime and drug use pattern between South Hedland and other metropolitan regions. Procedure DUMA questionnaires were administered to the detainees in a private room in South Hedland Police Station after gaining consent from the victims and the government. The interview ensured that the victim was viable to provide the required information on drug abuse and crime. Any detainee who was under the age of 18, detained for less than 48 hours, could not understand English, had past cases of violence and those in detention by court ruling were deemed not viable for the interview. No incentives were offered to the detainees for participating in the interview, but water and a snack was available. Survey The project's data has origin from DUMA questionnaire provided in South Hedland in 2013. There was a standard for collecting information that related to the drug abuse and crime in Pilbara region. Data on amphetamine apart from the survey required a urine sample which was tested and results attached to the questionnaire. Sample The sample comprised of 60 detainees interviewed in police stations, with figures adding up as, 51 in South Hedland for the eligible detainees. Demographics South Hedland detainee had a high number of a male who were characterized by completion of year 10 or below of school, in a relationship and lived in a house provided by housing commission or Homeswest. The likelihood of being unemployed for the detainees was high. FINDINGS Alcohol Consumption Alcohol consumption for most of the detainees began at an early stage by ‘ever trying’ through initiation or peer pressure. The consumption averaged at about 15.1 years for all inmates at South Hedland. The results had similarities to that of the research conducted on alcohol use in Australia, (AIHW 2010). The consumption of alcohol within the previous 48 hours for the detainees at South Hedland was at about 66 percent. From the chi-square test of independence by DUMA showcased a slight relation to detainee’s location on alcohol consumption within the last 48 hours. The alcohol type consumed by the inmates in the South Hedland was beer more than any other kind of liquor. Amphetamine Use The use of amphetamine in South Hedland among the detainees averaged an early experience of the drug by the user at the age of 18.1. It showcased that the substance abuse was introduced to most users who were legal of age but never missed some minors who had used it before. Those who had used amphetamine added up to 25.5 percent. The use of meth within the previous 12 months in the region was at 12.1 percent with an average use of the drug at 1.1 in the last 30 days. Those who had used the drug within 48 hours of arrest were at 3.9 percent. Crime, Violence and Drug Abuse The results from South Hedland in Pilbara region, from the survey, indicated that the detainees had charges that relate to previously breaking imposed order or condition. Breaching Bail often involves non-compliance to a conditional order, for example, not appearing before a supervising case manager. A closer look at the warrants and breaches foregone by the detainee shows the following problem being the main ones, bail breach, restraining order or warrant dismissal which are among the recurrent offenses by the detainees specifically, ATSI defendants in Australia (Schwartz, 2005). Public order offenses and injury-causing acts, according to Boyum and Kleinman (2003), and Goldstein (1985) state that it is as a result of a criminal model behavior under the psychopharmacological model. South Hedland had more than half the population of the interviewed detainee (57 percent) having consumed alcohol and before their arrest. In light of the above argument, Goldstein (1985) argue that the effect of alcohol after consumption result to excitement, display of violent behaviors and become irrational. Bennet and Holloway (2007) state that impulsiveness and lack of foresight are among the consequences which individuals face as a result of the intoxication elements mentioned above. Amphetamine, on the other hand, has ties to a range of public safety and criminal justice issues. It includes illicit drug markets which create organized crime in the name of gangs, precursor drug access, and illegal importation. An examination of DUMA data collect from their survey by McGregor and Gately (2008) shows that positively tested detainees from a urine test conducted were at 42.6 percent had theft and related offenses as their charges. Those accused of illegal drug offenses were at 59.3 percent, prohibited and regulated weapon carrying and explosive offenses at 46.9 percent and traffic offenses at 29 percent for amphetamine users detained at South Hedland region in Pilbara. The percentage is in comparison to those who had used amphetamine before committing a crime to those who had not used the drug and had been detained. The above numbers show the prevalence rate of substance abuse (amphetamine and alcohol) among detainees in Pilbara and the relation they have to crime and violence in the region. Gray et al., (2010) believes that social or environmental factors play a role in the fuelling of the offense as an indirect factor, where the drinking place or crime location are vital to the analysis. Most of the detainee population of South Hedland region, consume alcohol at their home, family or friends place or public places. Crime in within a confined population has a less likelihood in being detected as compared to that done in parks or public places where most of the detainees enjoy their drinks. According to health professionals in Pilbara, areas that have high drug abuse have links to various social factors which include boredom, despair, family dysfunction, socioeconomic status, lost roles, mental health issues, and dispossession. (Walker et al., 2013). The diverse social factors are the same ones that lead to violence to create excitement in place of boredom, theft to improve on socioeconomic status, join dangerous groups in the name of replacing dysfunctional families and those who are not mentally stable being overwhelmed by drugs. Effect of Crime and Drug Abuse In Pilbara Community Health Impacts High crime rates and drug use among the Pilbara region has led to increased number of mortality rate and hospitalization. Patterson et al. (1999) and Grey et al. (2000) help show the health impact that the region faces with a discussion. The discussion states that the level of mortality due to drug use in the years 1980 and 1994, and 1994 and 2000, showcased a significant increase in drug use and as a result also mortality increased Another impact related to substance abuse include diseases such as HIV/AIDs and Hepatitis B. Those who use amphetamine in the region utilize needles as a means of introducing it to the body (Gray et al., 2007). As a result of poverty in the region, drug users tend to share the needles. Shared needles may lead to the spread of blood-borne viruses being introduced to the body such as Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDs. Gray et al. (2007) argue that the acquisition of the exact data on disease transmission due to shared needles is almost impossible. National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research (2000, 2007) state that during the period 2002 to 2006, viral hepatitis and HIV/AIDs, has increased three folds on injecting drugs in the region. Those who do not know how to administer the drugs properly end up overdosing and being hospitalized as a side effect of the drug use. Crime rates and drug abuse in the area, provided by the number of detainees in the region showcase the lack of safety in the Pilbara region which lead to a lack of social and emotional well-being. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2004) research states that people living in such areas experience much stress in their lives because of insecurity due to crimes and the flooding of drugs in the market which can reach their doorstep at any time. Reports by NATSIHS 2004-05 enumerated the common stressors which include incarceration of family members, illness or disability from a drug overdose or crime injury, inability to get employment due to tainted crime life history and mental health issues. Australian Health Minister’s Advisory Council (2006) argues that the age prone to health problems were between the ages of 33-35 who had been involved in crime or drug abuse for a very long time. Family Impact Drug use and crime in Pilbara region have adverse effects on family citing breakdown among members who are either users or gang members associated with drug use (Holly and Schoobridge, 2002). Statistics from West Australia, Pilbara region showcased that those using drugs cared more about their families’ health rather than theirs in the long run (Gray et al.,. 2001). The relationship became difficult as drug user preferred to source for money for substance abuse, through crimes rather than take care of their loved one (Putt and Delahunty, 2006). It was in most cases among users who had achieved a higher level of addiction for the drugs (amphetamine or alcohol). Violence among family members, as a result of drug abuse, emerged in Pilbara regions with most offenses cited to emanate from the use of alcohol (Putt and Delahunty, 2006). Nicholas (2004) argues that amphetamine introduced to the body in high quantities leads to predisposed violence. Those using the drugs are believed to have had a previous experience of family violence (Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2005). Child neglect and sexual exploitation among young people have become rampant in the Pilbara region with those addicted to alcohol or amphetamine (Putt and Delahunty, 2006). Another emerging issue in the Pilbara region was concerned with parental influence on child drug abuse. Indeed, children living with drug abusing parents are more likely to abuse the same drug as a result of influence from observation. Economic Cost Abusers of drugs such as alcohol and amphetamine in Pilbara region spend most of their little earning in search of the ‘comfort’ that comes with use of the drugs (Clough et al., 2004). As much as the money used in purchasing drugs remain in the community, it is feared that it may increase it in the market and alternatively increase crime in search of the drugs. 16 explains that the average weekly expenditure on amphetamine among the Pilbara region averages at $50 to $2100. The high cost of drug prices in return leads to increased rate of crime involvement in the area (Weatherburn, 2006). CONCLUSION Western Australia, Pilbara region has an emerging issue of drug abuse that does not only relate to alcohol and amphetamine but other illicit drugs which continue to flood the market. Its availability in the Pilbara region has roots in the policies of the government which tries to reduce its abuse rather than eliminates it completely. Equal funding for fighting this menace in Australia needs revision to understand regions such as Pilbara which require more funds due to its prevalence rate in the region. Police and the community, to eliminate the growing epidemic need to focus on the younger generation through education and programs that help them understand the effects of drug abuse in not only their present life but also their future. Drug-associated crime in Pilbara has been on the rise as shown by DUMA’s statistic of the detainees in incarceration. Crime resulting from this abuse in most cases are violent and unpredictable due to lack of the ability to think straight under the influence. Offenses such as road accidents hit and runs and driving under the influence have also increased due to the poor policing effort from the local police and lack of proper funding to eradicate drugs by the government. RECOMMENDATION Pilbara as a region should take measures to ensure that the drug menace which influences the crime rate in the area decreases with the aim of completely eradicating it. The government, the community, and individuals should ensure that drugs do not influence the life of the community, such as that of Pilbara region. The government through the police can ensure that drug abuse and crime are prevented with the help local Crime Prevention Partners, non-Governmental agencies, and the community. WA Police Service The police should conduct patrols in Pilbara regions where crime rate and drug abuse are high with the support of tactical groups to curb public drinking, anti-social behavior, and sale of amphetamine and recidivist offenders. Monitoring of repeated offender should be among the mandate of the WA Police in the Pilbara region. Town ranger and police should partner up to conduct joint night shift patrol which has formalization under the Memorandum of Understanding. For an effective and efficient service in the WA Police department, recruitment should take place to ensure that young and capable police handle such cases. New facilities such as police station should be renovated or upgraded to accommodate both victims and perpetrators in for questioning. In general, the police in WA should ensure that the work conducted under their supervision, in the case of a drug bust, to have integrity and transparency in the provision of their services. Department Of Community Development The projects under this department should ensure that the young generation is kept busy through youth activities and discussion which would bring relevance to their lives and avoid drugs and crime. The department, through workshops or programs, should have aims that try to find out the issues that lead to the abuse and violence in the region and formulate measures and mitigations. The measures should ensure that drug and crime awareness is provided to those who are willing to learn. Funding from the department needs to assist programs such as Youth Crisis Accommodation which ensures that the service and the young generation’s resources are delivered collaboratively and strategically. The department should also ensure that children are protected against the parental influence of drug abuse and crime through observation. Department Of Education And Training The department should make sure that a mandatory program of community-based education for children on age. Implementation would require the assistance of Department of Education and Training. The need arises for school to incorporate Retention and Participation (RAP) officer whose mandate includes monitoring the students to improve their school attendance and dealing with non-academic issues such as families issues. The school curriculum should also play a role in educating the young minds to avoid gangs, drugs, and violence which has been on the rise in Pilbara region. Bullying in school should be looked at because it may lead to depression which would, in turn, lead to drug abuse to comfort the depression. Department Of Justice Department of Justice should ensure that detainees have a program that ensures their re-entry into the society through training and employment program makes them viable to fit in back in the society, crime and drug-free. 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