Raising the issue of rehabilitation

FORMER assistant police commissioner Henry Brown’s call for rehabilitation centres for drug addicts is a call to action. The wave of emotions and opinion on rehab centres is attracting a lot of attention.

And this comes in the wake of the wave of recent busts and arrests connected to the very dangerous methamphetamine or ‘ice’.

The debate drawn off his comments should also move us beyond emotional reactions, and embrace treatment as well for addicts in the face of standard punishment.

With the increase in arrests in the wake of the massive busts in Nadi, a surge in addiction is inevitable.

We have actively advocated the line that there has to be consideration for rehabilitation centres in Fiji to cater for the expected rise in addiction.

Mr Brown’s proposal for mental health wards within correctional facilities makes sense as well and addresses another crucial aspect of the problem.

There would be mental health challenges, and neglecting these issues within prisons only perpetuates the cycle of negativity and re-offending.

We agree with Mr Brown that Government should start thinking of setting up rehabilitation facilities to address the expected high number of drug addicts.

Like Mr Brown, we have taken the line that addiction should be expected if Fiji’s drug problem continues.

Mr Brown warned against complacency.

It’s time that the Government starts looking at rehab facilities, he said, because there will come a time, “we will have addicts. And we need to be ready for them”.

He believes Corrections facilities should also have mental health wards.

“You can’t just lock them away with a key. There are withdrawal programs. They need to work this out now.

It is time to look five years down the line.”

Embracing rehabilitation requires a move towards a system that raises treatment and holistic support.

Let us heed Mr Brown’s call to action. We should move beyond the debate and into action, building a network of rehabilitation facilities and mental health services that offer hope and healing to those struggling with addiction.

We reflect on the fact that there are people out there who may be finding it difficult to fight the impact of ice.

They may be wanting to turn a new leaf but face a blank wall.

Focusing on rehabilitation ensures we are able to give people a second chance. We can empower them to fight addiction and recover.

This is why we need the powers that be to consider the impact of rehabilitation facilities, and the urgency with which we need this to be put in place!