Browne: Centre for homeless persons

Under the former UNC government, a part of deceased drug lord Dole Chadee’s estate in Piparo was turned into a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts. Chadee and eight members of his gang were executed in June 1999.

Speaking at the post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair, Browne stated: “There is also activity underway on the ground in rural areas, particularly in Piparo, with regards to a care and rehabilitation centre. What we have done is look at models across the world and have adapted and adopted some of the better practices relevant to Trinidad and Tobago.”

Explaining that Government intends to accelerate the development of its national strategy to deal with socially displaced persons, the minister said Government was looking at the establishment of assessment centres in urban areas, and care and rehabilitation centres in rural areas for these persons

Noting that Japan, parts of the United States and Western Europe witnessed a rapid increase in their homeless populations even before the onset of the global economic crisis, Browne said the common thread is “the treatment is not an overnight solution.”

Regarding the uptake of homeless persons from the streets, the minister said the Mental Health Act provides the best way to address that issue. Browne added that Government was addressing the lack of infrastructure and coordination challenges which have hampered its predecessor to treat with the homeless. He said that all these initiatives were being built on past work done by the ministry, and had nothing to do with next year’s Fifth Summit of the Americas and Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Stating that his ministry has reduced expenditure in some parts of its budget in keeping with adjustments to the 2009 Budget, Browne said his staff will be holding a Christmas gathering without any alcoholic beverages. Just as Government made adjustments to its budget, Browne suggested that citizens review any type of discretionary spending over the Christmas season on items, such as alcohol or cigarettes.