Help needed now

Donna Miles is correct in saying the problem of youth offending is best handled by addressing the root causes ( Hopeful signs of curing our punitive instincts, Nov 28).

However, it is going to take time and resources. But these young offenders need to be dealt with now because soon they will be continuing the cycle and having children of their own.

‘‘Boot camps’’ need not be the horror story suggested by some. With proper funding and wraparound support, they could put these young people on the road to a better and more productive life.

Outward Bound is a good example of what I am thinking of.

The best way out of poverty is education and a good home and until politicians of both the right and left take this on board we will get what we have now, a group of young people with no hope or dreams of a better life.

Trevor Sennitt, Christchurch