Helping Hands

[4getmenot]

I have just read in my local paper a story to which the headline is 'Children help clear up local drug haunt' I have found this appalling. Even though it does say that police went in and removed any syringes first, how could they be sure they've removed everything? If I had children I wouldn't want them clearing any drug den no matter how much it helped the community. Why can't the druggies that have been caught clear it up as part of their community service, its there mess. Would you let your child be part of this?

[admarlow]

I agree 4getmenot, why don't we but con's to work like in USA, instead of watching TV they could be picking up rubbish, and clearing up drug dens.

[IggyB]

i too would like community service orders to be more visible e.g. bright orange uniform or something similar so that the community can actually see the people that have offended and also see what they are doing to pay their debt to society - additionally as this might involve a little bit more shame for the offender they might not see community service as a soft touch.

however with this story i can see the point of the children getting involved as you can tell kids over and over again that drugs are bad but if they actually get to see how some drug users live then i think the anti drug message is emphasised and provided on a level that all children will understand e.g. drugs can ruin your life why risk getting into this state.

[anotheoldgit]

I agree there is too much of this getting kids to clean-up their communities. Get these benefit cheats, out of Bed, out of the Betting Shops and out of the Pubs, and make them do a bit of useful work for their giros.

[admarlow]

oldgit, thats exactly what they do in Sweden

[4getmenot]

Iggy I agree that children should help in community and know about drugs, sex etc but surely them doing this is putting them at risk of catching something.

[noxlumos]

I'd happily let my kids clear up, in fact I feel it's vital that kids see first hand the damage drugs do to people and the sheer squalor and unpleasantness of it all. It's the best way to ensure your kids never touch drugs and if there are no syringes and the kids wear gloves, which they obviously will, then there's no chance of them catching anything. I agree it would be good if there were more community service programmes, but they most definately should NOT be made to wear obvious clothing etc, not for their own sakes but for the sakes of their kids. If you were from a small town and your Dad was picking up litter in a bright orange convict's uniform then your life wouldn't be worth living at school would it?

[4getmenot]

You'd let your children clean up knowing that there might be syringes left about nox? I would rather my children helped in old peple homes or something if they really wanted to help the community. Druggies should be clearing up their own rubbish.

[admarlow]

well maybe danny shouldn't break any laws , then he might not upset little timmy when his mates see him laying tarmac in a yellow jumpsuit.

[kick3m0n]

I'm with Nox on this. The more that children are exposed to the genuinely sordid and seedy unpleasantness of drugs and drug taking the less likely they are to succumb to peer pressure or feel that it is in any way a glamourous or fun thing to do. I would certainly let my son do this (when he is old enough).
Also agree re orange overalls. The offender is supposed to be there to put something back into the community, not to be made a laughing stock, or there to have his children feel ashamed or embarrassed...it's not their fault mum/dad has done wrong.

[admarlow]

I think that criminals should be shamed, and this form of modern day stocks would make many petty criminals think twice, and once they were punished, they would feel as if they were being so, and not just killing time in some open prison.

[4getmenot]

as I said kick yes they need to know about drugs but surely letting your child be in the situation they could find a syringe and maybe get infected is a big no no

[ELVIS68]

Perhaps if criminals were made to wear bright orange uniforms and pick up litter in full view of everyone, they might think twice about commiting a crime in the first place..or maybe it`s against their human rights to expose them as criminals...just a thought

And as for the kids being ashamed of their dad picking up litter...are they not already ashamed that their dad is a lowlife?

[admarlow]

surley they have already broken someone elses ''human rights'' (pah!) by commiting a crime, what about the victims human rights?

[kick3m0n]

but you said 4getmenot, that all the syringes were removed first? On that basis, my answer would still be Yes.

[4getmenot]

yer but I also said you cant be sure, they had to clear rubbish up, it could have been hidden in there, theres safer things they could be doing

[ELVIS68]

That`s what I meant admarlow...DOH!!!

[Oneeyedvic]

OMG - I agree with admarlow. Must be feeling unwell!

Seriously - totally agree with the orange uniforms - and if there are concerns with children etc, then arrange for transport to a 'nearby' town. If you are walking in town and see a load of people in bright orange uniforms having to work, it reinforces the fact that you shouldn't break the law or there will be consequences.

[kick3m0n]

I just can't believe that so many folk assume that "consequences" EVER enter a petty criminals mind (or any criminal to that extent). D'Oh! Heads up guys, it doesn't. It really, honestly doesn't. Therefore an orange overall that they'll never consider is NOT a deterrent. In any way. Whatever teh reasons behind criminals committing their crimes (and it's always a need of some sort) this will NOT disappear just because they know something bad will happen if they get caught. be it jail, or an orange overall, most criminals don't consider the propsect of getting caught before committing their crimes.

[Oneeyedvic]

kick3m0n - most people's perception on here (and I assume pretty much everywhere) is that criminals have a lovely life, watching tv and playing on playstations all day long. Orange uniforms are a detterant (imho)

[kick3m0n]

lol, maybe you're right oev - eg I was a crackhead desperate for money for my next fix, so thought that maybe mugging a couple of old folks would get me the cash I needed, if the thought of those orange overalls crept into my mind, I would definitely NOT mug the oldies, for fear of the orange overalls. I'm sure my crack habit would diminish at the very thought, and remove my need to commit a crime. Or not, eh?