TAXPAYERS have funded a booklet that tells children how to dodge drug charges.
It also offers students advice on keeping abortions secret from their
parents and provides excuses for carrying weapons.
More than 225,000 copies of Am I Old Enough? have been sent to 546
secondary schools.
Produced by Victoria Legal Aid, with funding of almost $100,000 from the
Attorney General's office, the book has been described as "a louts' guide
to getting away with it".
Parents, family groups and the State Opposition have roundly condemned the
62-page guide. It tells children who inject drugs how to avoid being
caught. Advice includes: "Never carry drugs on you when carrying syringes
or visiting a needle exchange.
"Used syringes or traces of drugs can be used as evidence of using a drug
of dependence. Always flush syringes with water after using."
Drug users are warned that admitting to their habits could lead to charges,
and young smokers are told: "It is not against the law to smoke or carry
cigarettes if you are under 18."
Children are given tips on weapons they can use and "excuses" for having them.
They are told: "You may use some weapons like a sword, large crossbow or
imitation firearm if you use it safely and if you can prove you have lawful
excuse to use it. A lawful excuse could include using the weapon for work,
for sport or for a weapons collection, display or exhibition."
Students are advised on dealing with police: "You don't have to answer
questions, except those about your name and address. If you decide to make
no comment to the police, stick with it for every question.
The police must tell you why they want your name and address. If they do
not give you a reason, you should ask for it."
The booklet also tells students that there is no age limit on buying
condoms or having an abortion.
"You may be able to get an abortion without your parents' consent if the
doctor thinks that you are mature enough to understand what you are doing,"
it advises.
Problem students facing expulsion are told to secure a place in a new
school before the punishment is brought down.
The guide has provoked fury among parents' groups.
Stephen Franzi-Ford, chief executive of the Association of School Councils
in Victoria, said: "Most parents would be horrified that this information
has been handed out to their children at school.
"It's basically about how to flout the law."
Australian Family Association national vice-president Bill Muehlenberg
said: "It is a government publication telling children how to beat
government laws, the police and parents."
A spokesman for Attorney-General Rob Hulls said the Government had
committed $117,000 to the VLA for translating and improving a wide range of
publications.
"The Bracks Government is committed to providing all Victorians with access
to justice," the spokesman said.
"There's no use in having legal rights and obligations if you don't know
what they are."
He declined to comment on the concerns of parents about the booklet's content.
But Shadow Attorney-General Victor Perton accused the Government of
irresponsibility and double standards in supporting the brochure with
taxpayers' cash.
"If the Education Minister and Attorney-General actually read this booklet,
they might take steps to make sure there are warnings about the dangers as
well as advice on how to avoid getting caught using and trafficking drugs,"
he said.
"It seems to be a 'How to get away with it' guide."
Parents Victoria senior vice president Elaine Crowle said: "It encourages
kids not to take responsibility for their actions."
Tony Parsons, managing director of Victoria Legal Aid, defended the guide
and said only three schools had returned copies.
"It's focus-tested by schools, students and teachers," Mr Parsons said.
"It's a book that provides a whole range of information and resources on a
whole range of issues.
"We have had fabulous feedback from schools, saying that it has fulfilled a
valuable role in terms of the schools' life education programs and legal
education."
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