Dear Editor,
On Thursday November 6, I visited the Salvation Army Rehabilitation Centre. There I saw members of the Private Sector Commission headed by Mr Gerry Gouveia along with the media also visiting. I was overwhelmed with joy when I was told that they were there to offer assistance to the centre with its drug rehabilitation programme in whatever way they can.
Drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease that is characterized by uncontrollable, compulsive drug-craving, seeking and use, even in the face of negative health and social consequences. Like HIV/AIDS it destroys not only the person with the disease but also the society. It is therefore our duty as citizens of this country to do what we can to assist in making it a better place for all of us. Remember the saying: “It’s not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
Thank you Mr Gouveia. I pray that other persons, especially from the business community will join in this fight and assist in saving our children, brothers and sisters who have fallen into the trap of addiction.
To mothers, wives, children, other relatives and friends who are affected by this disease, I invite you to rid yourself of the shame and stigma attached to this disease. There is a place where you can experience support, and be empowered to deal with your situation by learning and understanding more about this disease.
Yours faithfully,
J. Alleyne
With all the space and forests we have, it should be no problem to gather these addicts and set them up in camps to forage and work in planting, building and
understanding the environment as they get a grip on their ailment.
Of course back up medical facilities should be at hand.
Physical and meaningful activity is perhaps a suitable cure for these addicts.
Too many of them just laze around waiting for the net fix.
Grt them involved in physical activity, and a camp stting is probably the best.
Get them away from the community and the town.
Nature’s views are excellent and refreshing.
???
Have you ever heard the phrase; “me no kay” meaning I don’t care? My substance abused son used to tell me-“me no kay.” He had a loving family, he had a caring family, he refused to accept any kind of help, and he had plenty of money that he earned in the electronic business. As-a-matter of fact he had just completed the construction of a two story building, the ribbon was cut at the opening by no other than the then Prime Minister of Belize, and my son “past away” one month after at the prime age of 44. He would have been 49 years old this year.
You may have noticed that since Stabroek News published this Letter, the response had been minimal, and there is a good reason for this. People know what this subject is all about, An addict is not likely to give up the substance that is abused.
Mr. Jenkins
Sorry to hear about your pain and loss. Nonetheless, please do not give up hope. I’ve seen drug- crazed addicts pulled back from the brink; from that place of no return who have rebounded to lead productive and fulfilling lives. Of course that’s in the US.
As for Guyana, one needs just one spark, one spark; a burning passion that could end up like an inferno to lick this scourge. Granted, Guyana has so many societal ills and a deep-seated economic malaise that it would take some time for us to get to just a fraction of what the US experiences in some cities.
Be that as it may, we have to start somewhere. Who would have believed that early in the 21st century a black man could have become leader of the US? Point is, it is that type of hope and conviction that will see us through any trial and tribulation and for us to dream the IMPOSSIBLE.
On a sad note, it says a lot, in a society like Guyana, when the money needed for a drug fix is far less than even the cost of buying a decent meal. Just ponder on that one.
Gimme a break. If you know something is bad for you, why are you doing it? I have no mercy for drug users, and drug pushers.They have to pay the consequences for their actions.
The sourse is the small time pushers that we accept in our communities that have a direct link to our youths in our communities ,the root cause is living with us every day and we know who they are, first we get rid of the source then we can work on rehab ,it make no sence rehab then come home to the souce the main one to start with is the pusher next door first. when we as a people understand that drugs destroys part of our brains and the repair to the destruction can take a long time lets us go to the source push the small time pushers out first.
treatment and education is important in terms of getting people off narcotics…however the larger issue at hand is the narcotics itself…people know where all the drugs are being bought and sold and do nothing to fix it…the police do nothing to fix it…what do you expect?
What the government should do is increase fines and sentences for both users and providers and manufacturers. In China, they sentence you to death. Not that we should do that but its just three years before bars, or realistically two, when you are caught at CJI trying to export this stuff. And as a deterent to the Boys in Blue who take their cut all the time, their sentence should be incurr say a 15 year term. This way they wouldnt get any bright ideas.
Some people become addicts because the drug dealers throws parties,sometimes every night and hand out samples. Knowing we Guyanese we always like free parties and free food.
I say “it good fuh dem.” I have no sympathy for drug users or addicts. These are people who do not care about themselves, or the rest of society.