This morning out on my run through the city I encountered many groups of young people in a very bad way after their nights out. This is not that unusual for me, although normally when encountering these sorts of things, I have been out and about much earlier. This morning these scenes greeted me at 7.30. Now clearly it is school and university formal season and xmas party season, so the numbers of these groups rise, but it was shocking to see the state of some of these young folks so early in the morning. Clearly many were on more than just the booze.
Passed out in their own vomit – searching around for shoes, many with ripped clothing or vomit down suits... Now I can by no means ever claim to have been an angel in my youth, but this trend is worrying. Then I hear of examples of cuts to funding school and uni sports programs and wonder if it is boredom or just a case of too much energy and lack of positive outlet that is causing so many to indulge so heavily? I don’t know the answers and know that it is foolhardy to think that everyone can be helped at the same time.
As with most things, a solution will only come through a joint effort. We can all play some part in helping to offer support to young people and continue to show them that there are alternate ways to live life. A prime example of this is 81 year old teacher Frank Dando, who I recently saw on 60 Minutes. Despite being plenty old enough for the pension (and some might say the retirement home), this spritely senior is still teaching at his school of hard knocks west of Melbourne. He takes in children (especially boys) who society has given up on and reforms them using a mix of discipline, sports and martial arts. It is quite phenomenal what can be attained using his methods.
Have a look at the 60 Minutes report and the video.
Keep being positive – keep motivating young people.
See change – believe change and act to effect change!
Running together, stride for stride on a life changing ride!—Sean Muller
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