Pubdate: Sun, 05 Aug 2012
Source: New Straits Times (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2012 New Straits Times
Contact:  http://www.nst.com.my/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3734

MCPF CALLS FOR POLICY TO HELP FORMER ADDICTS, CONVICTS

Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) today 
called on the government to introduce a policy to help former drug 
addicts and ex-convicts to get employed in the public sector.

Its vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said this was because they had 
been given adequate skills training to help them cope and also earn a 
living after being released from the rehabilitation centre or prison.

"I call on the government to consider hiring these former drug 
addicts and ex-convicts so that they will not make the same mistake 
and feel sidelined, just like when the government decided to allocate 
one per cent of employment in the public sector to the persons with 
disabilities (OKU)," he told Bernama when contacted here today.

Lee also proposed that during the tabling of the 2013 Budget, an 
incentive be introduced for private companies hiring former drug 
addicts or ex-convicts.

Meanwhile, Lee also called on all parents to adopt a zero tolerance 
stand against drug abuse, especially in preventing their children 
from falling victims to the serious social menace.

"Parents and non-governmental organization (NGO) must declare their 
full commitment and support the government in its efforts to make 
Malaysia a drug-free country by the year 2015," he said in a statement.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom