LAW AND ORDER

Last night at a forum in Parliament House there was much discussion on the perception in the community of the state of law and order in Queensland.

All of the panel participants acknowledged and supported the truth that crime rates and clear-up rates had dramatically decreased in the past ten years. The main point of discussion was the rates of recidivism and their relationship to rehabilitation programs. Consensus was that not enough programs are funded and those that are available are not utilised correctly.

Terry O'Gorman, civil libertarian and criminal lawyer, provide an example of one of his clients who was still waiting for drug rehabilitation after 6 months incarceration and monthly follow up by Mr O'Gorman.

Chris Nyst, the Gold Coast defence lawyer, pointed out that the media need to play it's role in spreading messages that reflected the true situation.

Chris Nyst

So what did the Courier Mail headline? DRUGS!

Why? A sure headline grabber and the cost in time and resources that would be needed to further investigate the rehabilitation issue.

Not sure if I can stomach another 'Let the sun shine' forum and the consequent predictable reporting.