indeed if we can agree that the behaviour must change, we can agree that change is necessary. and that change, imo, should include the laws which put people in prison, as this serves an ideological purpose that prison is a deterrent or punishment. but public safety is paramount. first priority.
in any democracy laws will apply to all regardless of any discriminating features. so perhaps its time legislators looked at alternatives to punishment/deterrence and considered the causes and started removing causes one at a time.
there have already been calls for legislators to listen to all people in Alice. there was much anger at the town hall meeting.
I don't know what the solution is, imo there's never one single solution, but the first step certainly must be to remove alcohol from the place so that intoxicated brains can calm down. but even alcohol retail bans won't deliver much good due to the extended problem of blackmarket, homebrewed and home distilled grog.
fed and NT Govs could brainstorm with experts on conflict resolution etc.... but most importantly imo is to engage with town workers (do-gooders) and business owners. all need to at least feel as if they're being heard. and "as if..." might be the outcome of such jaded people.
the kids, and their parents? maybe they should be rounded up and taken to a remote, dry facility for a week or four.... with a mob of counsellors and medical staff? somewhere with a fence.
hey I'm getting as frustrated and exasperated as could be with this awful problem.
