EDITOR:
Regarding the Sept. 3 article in The Guardian, 'Argument over drugs leads to assault,' there is a quote: “There is no help available in jail for addiction issues, there is none whatsoever.”
What is the purpose of the P.E.I. jails? Is it a bed and three meals a day at the cost of the taxpayers? The majority of the crimes on P.E.I. are attributed to addictions: drugs and/or alcohol.
If the jail is not providing rehabilitation for addictions, then what do they do with inmates drying out?
Sons and daughters over the age of 18 cannot be admitted to addiction services by parents or partners. Consecutive “jail” time (for people with addictions) is a window of opportunity for mandatory treatment at the jail while waiting for sentencing and serving time.
We need an addiction treatment centre at the jail to reduce the crimes and/or addictions on P.E.I. After the jail time is served, perhaps the inmates that excel at the treatment program could have the option to go to Lennon House for further assistance?
I urge the P.E.I. government to make a difference and act now. Our children are our future!
Glenda Frizzell,
Charlottetown
