HELPING YOUNG STAY, NOT STRAY

Josh Chung, nearly 15, lives in North Carlton with his mother, two
sisters and his brother, a recovering heroin addict.

Josh's brother was not allowed to live at home while he was "using"
and it has been hard for Josh to concentrate on school while making
sure he does not tread the same path.

"I am sure some kids have got a lot more problems than I have, but it
is nice to have someone to talk to about these things, someone who
you look on more as a friend that you know you can trust," Josh said.

Youth worker Mary Scott has done her best to be that friend for Josh
- - and for 500 other students at Collingwood Secondary College. She
has been involved in a program designed to keep troubled children in
school and away from drugs.

Melbourne Citymission approached the school two years ago with plans
for the program. Funding runs out in June. The school and the
program's two youth workers are desperately lobbying to continue it,
saying it could be a model for other schools.

Ms Scott said children at risk could be identified by absenteeism,
behavioral changes or evidence of abuse. "I spoke to a grade prep
recently who had bags under her eyes, which is just not normal. It is
a matter of making them feel comfortable with telling you things they
might not tell their teachers or friends," she said.

She believes there are dozens of children at Collingwood Secondary
who would have strayed and dropped out without the program. School
principal Frances Laureno said the program had helped the school
reduce its abenteeism rate to well below the state average.

Melbourne Citymission is organising a benefit to raise money for the program.