NOVEL SOLUTION TO ALCOHOL PROBLEM

Over recent days three Aborigines have been found dead in the Katherine River. Katherine Mayor Anne Shepherd is certain alcohol is to blame and she's almost certainly right. She thinks it up to society to solve the problem:

"We are giving these people the means, Aboriginal people, I don't mind saying it, someone has to say it, giving Aboriginal people the means to kill themselves by the abuse of alcohol by handing them money and ... what other society would give them the means to buy more grog all the time?"

She wants Aborigines to be issued food stamps instead of cash. Maybe if Aborigines had to be just a bit more self-reliant, society wouldn't have to give them money – or food stamps – and then try to control what they spend it on.