Call for drug education

A Broome takeaway owner has urged local youths to avoid going down the “dead end street” of drugs and alcohol abuse after a young man was jailed for robbing his store last year.

Maca’s Takeaway owner Tony Moore spoke to the Broome Advertiser last week after Rami Rahman, 27, was sentenced to three years’ jail for robbing the store on October 7. Rahman seized $160 from the cash register and assaulted two staff members when they attempted to stop him.

Mr Moore said he felt sympathy for Rahman because it was a “waste” for a young man to go to jail at the “prime of his life.” But he also said the sentence was appropriate, because two staff members had been hurt during the incident.

The long-term resident has moved on since the robbery, but remains vigilant during the dayto- day operations of his business.

“I’ve taken extra training with staff, including handling money,” he said.

“Life goes on … Broome is growing and these things happen.”

Mr Moore said both staff members had also managed to move on from their ordeal and continued work at the store.

The owner said while life had “quietened down” since school went back, he felt similar situations were likely to occur and the Broome community needed to work together.

“There needs to be a strong message about drugs,” he said.

“Youths will end up where (Rahman) is if they don’t change.”