Cabinet Minister Arden McLean confirmed on Friday that the Recreation, Parks and Cemeteries Unit has employed a number of men coming from drug rehabilitation.
Mr. McLean also called on other government departments and the private sector to follow his ministry’s lead and to consider hiring these men who are trying to make positive changes in their lives.
The initiative in Mr. McLean’s ministry is one that goes hand-in-hand in the alternative sentencing and drug court initiatives passed into law recently. The judiciary has learned that the best way to battle drug addiction is not to lock people up and throw away the key.
But the judicial changes need support beyond alternative sentences and rehabilitation.
There needs to be a structure in place that will give those that are or have been addicted to drugs hope for the future. Without some way of rejoining the working society, there is little in the way of incentive for these men to do what is necessary to kick their self-destructive habits.
By giving these men a second chance in the government workplace, Mr. McLean sees it as a win-win situation for the country.
Being productive will give these men a higher sense of self-esteem, making it more likely they will stay off drugs.
Those addicted to drugs cost this country a significant amount financially, whether it be the expense of keeping them in prison or in rehabilitation; the expense of caring for their families while they are out of work; or the expense of additional law enforcement.
Drug addiction also undermines the country socially, creating more victims of crime and more fear.
Not only are many of these burdens eased by having those who have successfully completed rehabilitation employed, but society gets production as well.
However, there are not enough government jobs to employ all of those who have gone through drug rehabilitation, and without some way of becoming a productive member of society again, many of these men may relapse.
Mr. McLean said that everyone deserves a second chance and we agree. When possible, we, like Mr. McLean, urge private sector businesses to give rehabilitated men a second chance to contribute, and at the same time, lay the foundation for a better Cayman.
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