Murray Bridge poet responds to 'meth capital of Australia' article in The Weekend Australian

Like a number of other locals, Claire Watson was dismayed when the city's drug problems again received national attention this week.

Murray Bridge poet responds to 'meth capital of Australia' article in The Weekend Australian

This post was contributed by Claire Watson in response to an article about illicit drug use in Murray Bridge published in The Weekend Australian: “What to do when a river town turns to ice?”.

Murray Bridge isn’t all bad. Photo: Kathy Purcell.

Murray Bridge

A violent and a junkie town is what reporters say,

though more get high on speed and sound: the jetski and the speedway.

They saw the empty shops of course, but did they see the new

additions to the high school and the hotel with a view?

Did they breathe the unspoilt air along a river track,

and marvel as the eagles soar above the rows of shacks?

Did they see the people stop to chat in shopping malls,

or watch the volunteers at work in op-shops, clubs, and halls?

A drug raid or a grisly murder always get attention;

the vaster good within our city seldom rates a mention.


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