The Much Maligned Pointer
There are books about the subject. There are people that swear they are the Devil's handiwork. They are the source of much debate, and in my opinion, they are much maligned. They are pointers.
Pointers in C and C++ code are as important as any other language construct. They are an essential tool in the arsenal of a software developer, and they have to be mastered. Yes, if put in the wrong hands pointers can be a very dangerous thing. But so can knives, guns, and explosives. But that doesn't mean that you want to start digging out tons of rock with shovels because explosives are "dangerous". It means that you have to make sure you have skilled technicians that understand the way in which to safely handle the tools of the trade.
Same with pointers. You have to be skilled and trained in their use, but that doesn't mean you have to spend a decade learning how to use them. You just need to keep an eye on them and remember to have strict rules in their usage and lifecycle.
For example, if you're using pointers on a queue, make sure that your method comments indicate when you're taking ownership of the pointer, and when you're passing ownership to the caller. Then it's clear. Simple.
Pointers are really no different than any resource you have to track - pooled database connections, threads, all these offer the same level of difficulty as the lowly pointer. But all are essential tools of the skilled software developer.
Fear not the pointer. It is your friend.