Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, on Monday pledged the Government of Guyana’s continued support of the Salvation Army’s Drug Rehabilitation project, at the Salvation Army’s annual dinner held at its Men’s Social Centre in Water Street, Georgetown, GINA said.
“As long as the Salvation Army’s drug rehabilitation programme continues to produce success stories, this government will be proud to partner with the programme. You take up the mantle and occupy your rightful place as a productive citizen of the country, take up your rightful place and become a gainfully employed member of our society,” the Minister said.
“You are the true heroes who have overcome real challenge,” the Minister declared.
The Minister noted that there was one characteristic which set the event apart, that of the testimony of current and past clients of the rehabilitation programme.
“I came to hear the testimonials from clients…because ultimately this is what the programme is all about, the lives that have been turned around and saved and put back on the right path to success and glory…I am happy that I made that choice today because I wasn’t disappointed,” he said, according to GINA.
“There was a first today from a female…you were the first woman who delivered testimony today…”, Singh added.
He said that he had been calling on the organisers to replicate the programme’s success with female clients, and was happy that it has been answered. “You can now tell the story of the demons you have confronted.”
Contending that substance abuse doesn’t know boundaries, he urged the organisers to extend the reach of the programme to ultimately benefit all Guyanese who could walk through “gates like these and find the path back to righteousness and success.”
Singh posited that each Guyanese who might have made a misstep, irrespective of the factors bringing them to circumstances, must be afforded the opportunity to regroup. He said this includes those who might have fallen victim to substance abuse.
He explained that whilst a business such as the Salvation Army cannot be run by itself, “We will not give up…but we will work with partners who can, and the Salvation Army has proven that it can.”
