Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh is calling for greater civil society involvement to foster and promote social programmes aimed at developing Guyana.

Making his call at the opening ceremony of the Guyana Salvation Army Dinner and Social held last evening, Dr Singh said: “Nowhere in the world can Government alone confront and overcome all of the challenges faced by a country.
“Responsible social partners and responsible citizens are an absolutely critical prerequisite, if our country is to achieve what we want of it.”

The minister noted that the work of the Salvation Army Drug Rehabilitation Centre is to be applauded for reforming persons affected by drug addiction, and re-integrating them into their communities and societies, where they are able to contribute to the development of their country.

“We want to ensure that each and every one of you get a fair chance to make an optimal contribution to the growth and development of our country,” the Finance Minister said to current and former clients of the rehabilitation centre who were present at the event.

Having noted the contributions and benefits of the programme, Minister Singh pledged Government’s continued support, once the programme continues to achieve its goals.

Last year, the GoG gave $16M in capital funding to expand the drug rehabilitation programme in its effort to accommodate more clients. “At that stage we were looking to attract female clients too,” the minister explained. He noted that drug addiction affects both men and women, and therefore the facility should also cater to the needs of female clients.

“I wish to urge the Salvation Army to replicate the outstanding success that has been achieved with male clients, to extend the programme to include female clients,” he said.

Minister Singh also urged the participants to stay with the programme and to maximize the resources and facilities as part of their recovery.

“I believe substance abuse has distracted you from your intended calling,” Minister Singh said. “We need you badly to return to the path on which you have been put on this earth to walk.”

Chief councillor at the rehabilitation center, Amarnauth Parsad, noted that the year has been one of the most successful for the organization, as all of its clients have remained in the programme, compared to previous years when a number of them relapsed and left the programme.

He attributed these developments to a combination of factors, including Government’s support, stronger leadership, and the ability of the organization to hire more qualified staff.

“The fact that successfully rehabilitated clients who remain clean and sober maintain contact is a distinct motivation, (and it) got us to continue our mandate,” Parsad said.
The chief counsellor is also looking forward to next year with plans to expand the organization’s building and programme, the launch of a prison drug rehabilitation programme, and the continuation of a work and skills training programme for persons who successfully complete the drug rehabilitation programme.