By SALLY MACMILLAN
7feb99

A STONE'S throw from the infamous Smack City train station and heroin express in NSW, tennis star Pat Rafter is getting a taste of the underbelly of street kid junkie life.

An hour earlier he'd sat through a litany of horrors related matter-of-fact by a kid who is just 12.

Chris looks 10. He grins up at the famous one and lists his life's course: drugs, drink, sexual abuse.

Rafter winces. He shoots a look across to Father Chris Riley and shakes his head.

"I never realised how many children there were on the streets and how many actually relied on drugs," Rafter said.

"YOTS (Riley's Youth-Off-the-Streets program) needs a lot of support and I'll help them in any way possible."

He admits his own sheltered life had hidden the horrors of drug abuse from his eyes.

"We just can't let this go on."

The wholesome champ and his big sister Louise are right now finding out just how bleak it all is at the coalface ¨C sitting down with the YOTS homeless, drug-addicted youth at Ultimo, then mixing it with a horde out the parking lot basketball courts at Cabramatta.

Finding out, being involved, that's what the 24-year-old is doing. Already he has set up his own children's charity, Cherish The Children.

He and Louise, who will manage Cherish the Children, want to be part of turning young lives around ¨C thus his decision to appear for YOTS in a fund- raising role.

"I want to help make a difference for the next generation," he says during the day's foray out on the mean streets.

"Coming from a big, loving, very, very supportive family you appreciate all of that grounding. Others clearly never have that chance. We've all just got to get in there and make things happen."

Right now in Smack City Pat Rafter is getting in there. Kids who are turning their lives around thanks to YOTS besiege their idol for autographs ¨C on faces, backs, T-shirts, caps ¨C then toss him a basketball jersey and clamour for him to be on their side.

"Mate, I'm not too good at this but I'll give it a go," Rafter grins as he ties his locks into his trademark pony tail.

The kids run rings around the novice basketballer ¨C "soccer, tennis and swimming were my forte, guys, not this" ¨C but he still manages an impressive white-man-jumping three baskets.

"Phew, that's a real workout," he says between games, sweat pouring off the honed body. "These kids are fast!"

"Where's your bodyguard?" a kid seriously asks.

Rafter looks a mite startled: "I don't have one. What do I need a bodyguard for? You guys are okay, aren't you."

One grins: "We are now. But some aren't."

Fr Riley, the maverick priest and guardian angel who's been in there fighting for the street kids for more than 10 years, knows that only too well.

Within his myriad programs for substance abuse ¨C end-of-the-line farms, cattle drives, refuges and outreaches ¨C he's able to provide safe havens for those thrown or gone off the rails.

He's fed up with the sprouting and knee-jerk reactions of politicians. "I can't believe these people like (Health Minister Andrew) Refshauge who go 'I can't believe this (the youth drug problems') is happening'. Where have they been?

"It's nothing new but there's no one in the political circle doing anything but sprouting hot air.

"Tell them to go to the Cross, the Wall, Central Station.

"We're losing kids. Kids are dying. He won't even speak to me or take calls."

It's a never-ending story and he's thrilled that a role model like Rafter has come on board ¨C through the auspices of John Newcombe, a YOTS supporter.

"What a giving," says Fr Riley of Rafter's decision to become involved with YOTS. "This will mean a drug and alcohol program for the younger kids, those under 14, where the problem is just out of control. I hope to have it ¨C eight live-ins ¨C up and running within a month.

"The great thing with Pat is that he's a really important role model who can relate to the kids. He's making a pretty powerful statement."

Right on, says Rafter. He's just heard from 18-year-old Michael Dillon ¨C four years with YOTS programs and life now on track who's about to join the cattle drive program now wending it's way through the countryside near Tamworth.

"Yeah? A cattle drive," Rafter says. "Hey, I wouldn't mind doing one of those. Maybe when I'm back home next time."

The kids' eyes shine. "Wow," says Michael, "wouldn't it be great to have him sitting round with us by the campfire. And I'd sure like to see him on a horse!"