Alarming figures on teenage crime

NZ Herald, 9 May 2008
Up to 80 per cent of teenage offenders have drug or alcohol problems, 70 per cent aren't enrolled in any form of education and the rate of violent youth crime is rising steadily. Those alarming statistics were released yesterday by the country's top Youth Court judge Andrew Becroft at the 25th Anniversary Bluelight Conference, alongside some very simple suggestions on how to combat the growing problem. more...

Judge Beecroft and others point out that the key is providing good role models and keeping young people in education longer, messages the article refers to as "not rocket science" and "what most youth workers already know". What is interesting and encouraging for us is Auckland mayor John Banks thoughts on the impact of the church workers on his life as a child.