Proposal for PSD to accept rehabilitated drug addicts for appointment to suitable jobs in the public service sector

I welcome the Home Ministry’s proposal to have discussions with the Public Service Department to accept rehabilitated drug addicts for appointment to suitable jobs in the public service sector.

Such a move is long overdue. When I served as the Vice-President of Pemadam in the nineties, I had brought up the suggestion several times but it was not considered.

I have all along been of the view that both the public and private sectors should look into the employment of rehabilitated drug addicts and help to re-integrate them into society so that they can get settled down and do not have to be recidivists and live a life of crime.

Even as late as March this year I urged the government to set an example and help rehabilitated drug addicts to seek employment.

Instead of just urging society to give rehabilitated drug addicts a second chance, the government should lead by example and provide them suitable jobs in the public sector.

It is the right move for the Home Ministry to initiate discussions with the Public Service Department on the matter.

Presently the Public Service Department cannot accept rehabilitated drug addicts as the General Orders forbids hiring people with criminal records in the civil service.

But it is a matter which can be reconsidered by the Public Service Department, if it wants to, in the interest of assisting the rehabilitated drug addicts reintegrate into society.