After nine years on Hindley Street’s front line, former police officer Louis Burden has swapped handcuffs for harm-prevention. 

The ex-SAPOL constable has seen, “too many ‘one-punch’ nights end in an ICU,” and now wants to stop the trouble before it starts.

He has joined youth-support charity Encounter Youth and is bringing his street-level insight to Tough Talks, a no-cost seminar for interested community, parents and caregivers at Encounter Bay Football Club on Monday 26 May, at 7pm.

“Instead of working with the end situation, I wanted to do more to prevent young people getting to that stage.”

As the Education and Parent Coordinator for Encounter Youth, Louis now delivers education programs to secondary students and their parents.

“I would call parents to tell them their son or daughter was in hospital or at the Police Station due to a drug or alcohol issue, and while their first reaction was that of concern for their child, the next reaction was often confusion about why it happened and how they missed the signs.”  

“It is important not just to empower young people but to assist those who care for them with some information and support strategies.”

Encounter Youth, in conjunction with Finniss MP David Basham will present the free seminar for parents and caregivers wanting valuable insights into how to assist their teens as they navigate the challenges of drug and alcohol use.

The session promises three take-home rules:

           1.        Start the chat early — normalise conversations about drugs and alcohol long before the first party invite.

           2.        Be curious, not furious — ask questions, listen and learn what pressures teens really face.

           3.        Model what you want to see ‘young people can’t be what they can’t see’— by showing that fun doesn’t need a bottle or a pill.

Mr Basham says he is pleased to support the Encounter Youth team, who know the Finniss region extremely well through their Schoolies Festival involvement over the last twenty-five years.

“Encounter Youth aim to alert, inform and empower young people to celebrate safely and meaningfully while adopting a harm-minimising approach.”

Book a free ticket to the Tough Talks seminar via TryBooking. Parents can warm up with Encounter Youth’s Uncharted Parenting podcast.