This letter is directed to our young people, particularly those who have not considered the precious and priceless value of freedom.
The most commonly talked about freedoms are freedom of expression and freedom of movement. Can you imagine what it feels like being trapped in a six-by-nine prison cell? Freedom of movement is one of the many privileges handed down by society and should we breach this privilege, it will be taken away from us.
As people mature, they are given certain freedoms to commensurate with their age. At the age of 16, for example, you receive a driver’s licence. At 18, you can vote, drink and smoke. At 21, you become an adult and receive greater degrees of freedom.
As you mature, you learn freedom must be earned and sustained diligently. It is more than the right to do what you want, when you want, simply because you can. The cemeteries, prisons, hospitals and streets are full of people who did what they wanted to do at great expense to themselves, their families and innocent bystanders.
It has become obvious that our young people are not aware of the value of freedom. Her Majesty’s prison is filled with the future generation of Cayman.
My question to those in authority: Is the price of freedom so expensive that it is not worth putting in place the necessary resources to teach our young people the fundamentals and value of freedom within our small society?
When are we going to come to grips with reality and admit that we are all at fault? Parents, teachers and the entire community set the example.
As far as I’m concerned, every parent that has a child in prison under the age of 18 should be the one to blame for this disease that has befallen our young people.
You are the one allowing the TV set in their room, but fail to check what they are watching. You are the one allowing them to use the Internet without censorship. You are the one buying the Playstations and X-boxes with games that portray violence. You are the one allowing your 15-year-old and 16-year-old daughters and sons to go out on Saturday night without finding out with whom and where they are going.
After all of this, it is only a matter of time before that child becomes uncontrollable.
The use of drugs among young people is rapidly becoming an epidemic with dire consequences for both themselves and the community in which they live.
I am pleased with the National Drug Council’s efforts to educate our young people about the use of drugs, but it cannot be successful without the assistance of parents and the individuals themselves.
Parents, please find time to talk to your children. Teach them about the values of freedom, which is so priceless and precious. This is the only way to ensure and secure a future generation for a Cayman-to-come.
George Jehru Roper
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