Jesse Jinks gets plenty of air at the hidden points round of the SWAS Extreme Skate and BMX Competition held at Waikerie over the weekend.

Awesome!
The hidden points round of the SWAS Extreme Skate and BMX Competition was held in Waikerie over the weekend, which saw a large crowd gather at the park to see the action.
Although it was a hidden points round, organiser Linden Goodman of Ramp2Ramp said the “standout” skaters on the day were Matt Rowlins, Leroy Harvey and Tyler Andrews of the Skate Beginners, Intermediates and Advanced divisions respectively.
While the BMX standouts were Jade Reading, Tim Hills and last year’s Advanced BMX division winner, Jesse Jinks.
The next stage of the competition will be held at the Barmera Skate Park on Sunday, September 19, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., while the final stage of the competition will be held later in the year at Loxton.

No increase in drug use locally
Waikerie police intelligence reveals there is no increase in drug use locally, but there has been a change in the type of drugs being taken.
While the region’s statistics may be encouraging the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol and other drugs in our communities cannot be underestimated, according to the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia. (ADCA)
“Research has shown that alcohol abuse causes one in four hospitalisations of young people aged 15-24,” said ADCA CEO David Templeman, “The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that 84 per cent of women who were sexually assaulted were attacked by a person who had been consuming alcohol or drugs, while about 80 per cent of men aged 18-24 who were physically assaulted by another male said the perpetrator had been drinking or taking drugs.”
Acting Officer in Charge at the Waikerie Police Station, Snr. Constable Danny McGurgan told the River News, “Our intelligence wouldn’t say that (more kids are on drugs). It would probably say if anything our drugs with juvenile reports are probably down I would suggest.
“We haven’t noticed any increase certainly.”
According to Snr. Constable McGurgan there has certainly been a decrease in cannabis use by kids, but offset by an increase in amphetamine use.
“But that’s right across the country and across the world. It’s because amphetamines are more readily available,” he said.
“Any intelligence we’ve received there has been no increase in people affected by drugs.
“Usually our indications are when we get called because people are off their faces and things like that.
“There certainly hasn’t been an increase in that and there certainly haven’t been any overdoses that we have been informed of lately.”

DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE
With the drug cannabis the demographic has changed according to Snr. Constable McGurgan. “It’s because the people who used to smoke cannabis are still smoking cannabis, but they’ve got older.”
He said that cannabis has become a dirty drug. “You know you’ve got bongs that are full of water, smelly - where now to the kids it’s a dirty drug.
“We don’t catch a lot of kids with cannabis now. It doesn’t seem to be a preferred option really and I wouldn’t say amphetamines use is high at all in under 16’s, under 17’s or under 18’s even, it probably starts in the pub scene.
“It’s where most kids first have an encounter with it.”
He said amphetamines are harder for police to detect but they are out there.
Snr. Constable McGurgan said, “If parents have got worries or suspicions (about drugs) get in contact with us for sure.”
He puts the decrease in local drug use down to several factors, among them the good education by the schools .
“There are a whole lot of factors. Waikerie has got a reasonably good bunch of kids and people – we don’t have a lot of trouble.”
But the message here is don’t become complacent. The use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs is common in Australia. Nearly all young people are exposed to these drugs in some way, whether through peers, the media, or other family members. However, only a small proportion of young people develop a serious problem.
Not all drug use leads to, or is part of, an ongoing serious drug problem. However, even a small amount of drug use can have a big effect on family relationships. When drug use becomes regular or habitual, all family members, including parents, siblings, and grandparents, are affected and need understanding and support.
“We need to take stock of what is actually happening in our communities with the misuse of alcohol and other drugs, rather than just excusing it as ‘normal’ behaviour, says the Drug and Alcohol Network in South Australia.