Drug-Free for a Day

His name is Shane Phillips, and he is the chairman of Aboriginal association Tribal Warrior.

Six months ago, he started an original program “Family Day on the Block” to tackle the drug problems in his neighbourhood. Once a month, he knocks on the doors of people living in the worst areas of Redfern, invites them to a barbeque and concert, and asks them to stay off drugs and alcohol for the day.

“I get verbally abused every time. I heard some pretty good swear words during this program, mostly from women. And, I got a couple of real threats from drug dealers. They left notes under my house door,” he says.

The police know about it but Shane doesn’t want them to increase his protection.

“I don’t want to run behind the police. I’m not going to let these people intimidate me. That’s what they are trying to do, but it’s not going to work. I’m not looking for a fight or anything but, if I have to, I can defend myself very well.”

Phillips says he started Family Day for his children, and the next generation is worth the risk.

“My kids go outside to play and they see someone taking drugs in front of the house and another person dealing drugs across the street. That’s the image they grow up with and I want to change it.”

Phillips has promoted Family Day in a few media outlets such as SBS and local newspapers. He thinks the publicity could make those opposed to the program back off, though he seeks the media coverage for a different purpose.

“I want to send a message to the people who are now in jail for drug abuse or drug trafficking. I want to make them understand that, after they get out, they won’t be able to come back and do the same illegal things here. The Block has changed and it is still changing,” he says.

Yaara Bou Melhem, an SBS Video Journalist, has followed Shane Phillips on Family Day.

“I was shocked to see how normal it was for those people to see needles on the ground or to have somebody knocking on their door talking about drugs. Obviously, many locals want things to change but the people who benefit from the drug industry are not happy,” she says.

Brad Freeburn, from the Aboriginal Medical Services in Redfern, thinks Phillips is taking significant risks.

“Shane lives on the Block, he walks every day in front of the people he is fighting. He is risking his own safety but he doesn’t want to back off.”

Phillips says Family Day is different from all previous programs trialed in the area because it involves the entire community.

“We got everyone to participate. The police come to barbecue with us on that day; sometimes, they bring a power generator, so we can organise concerts and other activities. The artists sing for free, the doctors in the area provide us with refrigerators for drinks.”

Superintendent Luke Freudenstein from the Redfern Police Station in an interview with SBS said the program has significantly reduced drug-related criminal activity. “The figures are basically a third down on what we've had before, and I do believe days like [this] certainly contribute.”

Still, there are those who doubt the efficiency of such an initiative.

“Well, it is worth the try but, by itself, this program can’t really be successful,” says John Robinson, a doctor with a private practice in Redfern. “The police have to step in and cut off the drug supplies. You can’t tackle a huge drug problem by motivating people only.”

However, Shane Phillips defends his efforts.

“The police [are] running along with us, they are searching people every day and making raids in the worst areas. They put pressure on people. Besides, the message we are sending here is one of support. We don’t judge anybody. All we say is, if you need help, come to us, we will help you. This should encourage people to come forward.”

Brad Freeburn is also optimistic about the outcome of the program.

“I think we are going to see a domino effect – one person who is influenced by the program and then influences other people. It will take time, but it can’t do any harm.”

Source: www.reportage.uts.edu.au/news-detail.cfm?ItemId=15183