I couldn't really see what all the fuss was about so my road to cannabis perdition was short, sharp and brief.

My battle with alcohol was, however, a far more tortuous and damaging addiction.

Alcohol is the world champion of drugs.  

Cheap, legal, readily available and socially acceptable.

And it will rule your life.

The latest government budget seeks to punish sick people rather than help them.

Let's treat all addictions as a medical problem, not a legal or financial one.

George Harley

Mount Isa

 Queenslanders can use snacking to their advantage with these healthy suggestions.  

Many people think of snacks as unhealthy treats, but this doesn’t have to be the case. 

Opting for nutritious snacks is a simple strategy for you and your family to become healthier eaters. 

By choosing a combination of items from the five food groups, snacking can help you meet your nutrient needs for the day and boost your energy levels between meals.

By having healthy snacks on hand during the day, it will help prevent you opting for the nearest savoury or sweet option, this in turn can help you maintain a healthy weight and prevent you from overeating at meal times.

If you are not sure if a snack is healthy, read the Nutrition Information Panel and 5 Star Food Label to avoid foods high in fat, sugar and salt, like chocolate bars and packets of chips. 

Pay attention to the portion size on the label too. 

For example, two to three sweet biscuits provides about 600KJ and should not be a regular snack. 

Instead, opt for healthy wholegrains, fruits or vegetables with protein foods like unsalted nuts or dairy products for a nutritious snack.

You could have tuna or low fat cheese on wholemeal crackers, or add grated zucchini, pumpkin or carrot to wholegrain pikelets or muffins. 

Fruit, with its high fibre and water content, is also a simple place to start. 

As well as the traditional apples and oranges, you could try fresh chunks of pineapple and ripe melon for lunchboxes. 

Cut up celery and carrots, with hummus or tahini, is super-tasty and will provide a veggie fix.

Having fruit and vegetables on hand as snacks throughout the day will help you reach the recommended number of serves per day. 

Other healthy snack options include a handful of dried fruit and seed mix, leftover roasted vegetables or a blended smoothie. 

We know at least one-third of all cancers can be prevented by simple lifestyle changes, including maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, being SunSmart, limiting alcohol and being active. 

So start munching your way to a cancer free future today! Keep your favourite healthy snacks on hand at home or the office. 

More information about Cancer Council Queensland and healthy living is available at cancerqld.org.au.

Chris McMillen, CEO

Cancer Council Queensland

We need to work much harder to make this a place where people want to stop and spend their money and time. I think we need more 'spaces' where people can sit, have a picnic lunch or relax. Parking in the riverbed next to the 4th ave / Isa St lights seems to be the latest trend and I can't blame them. Where else to park if the few allocated ones are full?

​Lulu Tee