THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM aware of the de-institutionalisation of the mentally ill in first world countries. It seems we like to jump on bandwagons without proper analysis. I wonder if this administration has taken a look at the number of mentally ill on the streets of Jamaica? Close Bellevue? It's not funny.
We do not have money to build adequate shelters for street people or the mentally challenged but we are planning to put more of them into the communities. It would seem that madness has moved to Gordon House.
How and where are we going to be rehabilitating these people? Who is going to care for them? Where is the necessary infrastructure that makes such a move possible? Why build a house without a block?
Government likes to abdicate its responsibilities often to the detriment of others. There is never any money. It leads me to ask what could retroactive salary payments to Members of Parliament at one millions dollars each have cost? I have worked with the government of several years and to date have never collected such money for those years so who am I? What value is placed on the services of a professional.
The working class will always be in a migrating mood, love of self or taking cover will always take precedence over love of country. This government needs a wake-up call lest the flock continue to stray.
I am etc.,
ELSIE CURRIE
gill@anngel.com.jm
Retreat
St.Mary
