NEWS DESK
‘Singapore solution’ for drug users Continued from Page 1 Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) last year reported an eight per cent increase in the arrest of “drug abusers” and sees the drug situation in Singapore as being “worrying and challenging”. It said about 37 per cent of arrested drug abusers were new abusers, with 71 per cent of new abusers below 30 years old. “Given the high relapse rate, these new drug abusers will have to be carefully rehabilitated lest they continue to add to our future drug statistics.” Life-Gate, in Olsen St, Frankston, was founded in 1992 by Mr Roldan and his wife. “We help people out of drugs, crises and life controlling problems,” Mr Roldan said. “We have visited Victorian prisons for 13 years and our street outreach team patrols the streets of Frankston every Friday to contact the needy and troubled youth.” Mr Roldan said police statistics showed drug use was increasing in Frankston with 589 drug offences detected in 2011-2012 and 828 in 2012-2013. “We are contacting many troubled youth and also adults on Friday nights during our street outreach, when we offer food and drinks behind the Frankston station and also patrolling the streets until late hours,” Mr Roldan said.
“We encounter many who are taking drugs, especially ice.” Mr Roldan said while many people came to the Life-Gate centre for help few “are prepared to go to a rehab centre”. “Some mothers call to ask for help because their son or daughter is taking ice, but they can’t convince the addict to seek help. We help people by advising what options are there for rehabilitation. We offer counselling and also try to help them in their life struggles. “Sometimes we can help mending relationships. If they are willing, we send them to detox first and then to a rehab centre.” Mr Roldan has a book with information and photos of rehabilitation centres in Singapore. “The centres can be big or small. This is the kind of strategy that needs to be discussed to make it effective. “In the long term, the government would save money: less crime, less welfare payments, less family dramas.” “The one size fits all strategy that governments rely upon to combat drug addiction is clearly failed. “I believe we need a more localised approach to addressing the growing drug culture in Frankston,” former mayor and Life-Gate board member Kris Bolam said.
Singing success: The Voice of Frankston winners Paul Dillon, above, and Brooke Miller, right, belt out their tunes.
Singers are winners at Voice comp NINE grand finalists for The Voice of Frankston gave it their best vocal shot at the Frankston Arts Centre on Sunday 13 September. About 130 friends, family and fans were entertained by “passionate and fierce competition” in the show which was filmed by Channel 31, Voice director Jenny Wilkinson said. The adult category winner was Paul Dillon, of Red Hill, with original song Stars. He pocketed $500 cash, thanks to Bendigo Bank Frankston. Teen category winner was Brooke Miller, of Mt Martha, singing The Power of Love by Celine Dion. She won $250, also thanks to Bendigo Bank Frankston. Junior category winner was Raela Wagstaff, of Seaford, with her rendition of Stay by Rihanna. She received $200 thanks to Crocs Play Centre Frankston. As well as cash prizes, winners received a single CD recording (from Pavmusic), filmed video clip (AV Friend), makeup and photography (Studio Glamour), interview with Mint Magazine, performance on RPPFM and $400 in
vouchers from Frankston businesses. The total prize pool was $4500. Organisers say contestants will have opportunities to perform at The Festival of Lights in November and Frankston Waterfront Festival next year. “Coaching sessions offered to the performers pre-concert helped refine their song choices and performances before the judges of music industry experts,” Ms Wilkinson said. Special guest performers included last year’s junior winner Fox DeRoche, who sang his acoustic version of Hit Me Baby One More Time by Britney Spears. Others were last year’s adult winner, Sian Crowe, singing Etta James’ At Last, this year’s senior winner, Karen Harvey, singing Valerie by Amy Winehouse, and 2013 adult winner, coach and judge Cail Baroni, singing Impossible by James Arthur. The audience enjoyed a performance by Team Cail – with teen category grand finalists Brooke Miller, Sierra Phillips, Bec Hoadley and Cail Baroni – singing Titanium by Sia.
More train pain for drivers on way Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au DRIVERS’ pain could be train commuters’ gain when eight new X’Trapolis trains take to Melbourne’s rail tracks later this year. Metro Trains plans to lower boom gates at several level crossings for longer times, including “the majority” of those on the Frankston line, to maintain safety at road and rail intersections since the X’Trapolis trains have quicker acceleration than existing trains. Boom gates could be lowered for up to 15 seconds longer before any train approaches a level crossing on the Frankston line for safety reasons. Metro spokeswoman Pauline
O’Connor said level crossing timings on the Frankston, Werribee and Williamstown lines will be adjusted. The crossing timing is specific for each level crossing and needs to be assessed individually, but generally boom gates will go down between one and 15 seconds earlier,” Ms O’Connor said. “The reason for this is to ensure the safe operation of the level crossing for road, pedestrian and rail users.” She said “the majority of level crossings along the Frankston line will be affected”. One X’Trapolis train has been running along the Frankston line since October last year. X’Trapolis trains have been running elsewhere on Melbourne’s rail network since 2002.
Longer wait times for drivers to cross railway lines could cause longer traffic jams during peak travel times. Metro says all boom gates will close for longer periods “in a staged approach” by mid-November. The Labor state government has promised to remove eleven level crossings along the Frankston line, by separating road from rail, within eight years. The eleven Frankston line crossings to be removed are: North Rd (Ormond), Balcombe Rd (Mentone), Centre Rd (Bentleigh), Charman Rd (Cheltenham), Edithvale Rd (Edithvale), Eel Race Rd (Carrum), McKinnon Rd (McKinnon), Seaford Rd (Seaford), Skye Rd (Frankston), Station St (Bonbeach), Station St (Carrum).
Need for speed: New faster X’Trapolis trains on the Frankston line mean boom gates at level crossings will be down for longer for safety reasons. Picture: Yanni
& ASSOCIATES PTY LTD PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Frankston Times
...Don’t miss securing that wanted prope property p rty Immediate access to Bond & Rent nt Move into that property now Fast prompt assistance Easy terms and conditions No upfront fees and charges Pre approval before finding a property We can assist with transfer off bonds between properties
WE CAN ASSIST YOU WITH IMMEDIATE ACCESS S TO BOND AND RENT T
1300 554 470 2-4 Chelsea Rd, Chelsea VIC 3196 Fax: 03 9776 2929 Email: info@bondassist.com.au
www.bondassist.com.au
PAGE 10 Frankston Times 21 September 2015
To advertise in
ÌTax Returns Advisors ÌBusiness 21 Half Price ÌUnder ÌOn The Spot Tax Refunds
Basic, Business, Rental Properties
Ph: 9769 6660
Shop 61 Station St Mall, Frankston
Open Evenings & Saturdays
contact Anton Hoffman on 0411 119 379 Frankston