The air was cold on the Wednesday morning I happened to jog into our driveway. I saw a bulky package protruding from our mailbox, my curiosity rose and I found myself examining the parcel with much interest.
It was a book-not that odd considering my household was full of book lovers, but it confused me. Why? Well it seemed to be one of those "guide to adulthood" type books, and addressed to my father. Last I checked he was still a middle-aged man, and I doubted that he had morphed into a hormone-riddled adolescent over breakfast.
On further inspection I discovered this book was actually a Street Smart Handbook, "the essential guide into adulthood." Maybe there was a mistake and this self-proclaimed 'handbook' was actually addressed to me?
So I flicked open the cover and began reading. And never stopped. This book gripped me. It wasn't one of those meaningless, drivel-filled self-help books that proclaim "You can do it!" at every turn. Instead, it explained the law and how it could help young people like me.
Produced by the Victorian Police Citizens Youth Clubs (Vic PCYCs), this helpful book is crammed with tips. It covers subjects such as moving out of home and drug consumption, with so much in between, outlining laws and providing phone numbers for help and safety.
In just 208 pages this handbook summarised every part of adolescence and answers many queries teens could have. Each state has its own handbook focusing on the different problems associated within their state, all edited to suit the individual laws.
I was inspired. If a book like this was shared amongst teenagers, imagine how many of us could be prevented from making serious mistakes. How did a book such as this come about? Constable Arthur William Lucas from Vic PCYCs describes the motives in the foreword: "this book is made under the desire to keep kids off the street and out of trouble."
And this handbook has the power to do such a thing. Why bother though, when most teens that are actually in need of help wouldn't really read it anyway? Constable Williams says, "it's important to get it out there, someone will pass it on. Even if [Street Smart Handbook] isn't fully read, important helpline numbers and tips can be picked up." The handbook is designed to help out teenagers that could be at risk.
Through the hard work of persistent volunteers, money was raised by donations through local businesses and by advertisements placed throughout the book.
All this still didn't answer my original question. Why was this book addressed to my father? After much questioning he told me that he had ordered one on the recommendation of a friend, and he wanted to see what the hype was about.
This is proof that Constable Williams's theory works. Just by getting Street Smart out there, many have come across it and benefited from it.
