Published in The Australian, November 24, 2016
Tarni Jarvis has seen the ravages of alcoholism first-hand, and understands how the issue — particularly among indigenous communities — invariably leads to hostile relations with local police. Her grandfather spent long periods of his life in prison. “He was in trouble a lot, and often arrested for being drunk in public … He died a couple of years ago,” the 15-year-old said.
Yet Tarni, along with dozens of “at-risk” indigenous teenagers, will spend this week on the same side as a team of Victorian police officers, confronting a physical challenge that it is hoped will strengthen the relationship between the two groups.
