Four Graduate From Right Living House

Minister of National Security Michael Weeks was the featured speaker during the Right Living House graduation ceremony on the 14th September for four men who have successfully completed the programme located at the Co-Ed Facility in St. George’s.

A Government spokesperson said, “The programme assists those inmates who need help battling substance abuse. The highly structured educational and therapeutic environment requires participants to display responsible, appropriate behaviour at all times.

“It started in 2010 and 82 percent of people who completed the Residential and Aftercare portions of The Right Living House programme have remained in the community for three years or longer without re-incarceration.”

He told those in attendance: “Please do not give up when things get hard and don’t be held back by where you came from, it matters more where you are going.”

“Be proud of your accomplishments, take one day at a time, and find the strength to stay to the wicket. Work each day on your thoughts rather than concentrating on your behaviour. It is your thinking that creates the feelings you have and ultimately your actions as well.”

“I also want to thank the men and women here at the Co-Ed Facility who work in the Right Living House Programme to make it a successful and viable option for those within the Facility looking to turn their lives around.”

The spokesperson said, “September is National Recovery Month, an observation in its 33rd year, having begun in the USA. This year’s Recovery Month theme is “Recovery is for Everyone: Every person, Every Family, Every Community.”

Minister Weeks’ remarks:

Commissioner, the Department of Corrections senior management team, The Right Living House team, graduates, friends and loved ones. Good morning.

We are here today to recognise the four men who are graduating from the Right Living House programme and are now back to living in the community, having spent the last several months in the Therapeutic Community here at the Co-Ed Facility.

I say to the men who are graduating today, thank you. I appreciate your commitment to this programme and your determination to pump the brakes in reverse — away from substance abuse and commit to a healthy lifestyle driven by purpose and aspiration.

The fact that you have made it this far and have since returned to living in our community is remarkable. You are all to be applauded for your accomplishments . . . well done.

If you haven’t heard this, I’m here to tell you that your life matters. A man’s life is not merely a brief interlude between the cradle and grave.

There has always been and remains a purpose for it. I want to encourage you to continue to think about that purpose and aim to aspire to it.

Now that you have returned to living in society, I want to encourage you to build upon the momentum provided by your graduation today. Focus on the next steps of self-improvement and restoration.

As a former substance abuse counsellor who has worked with people in their battle against addiction and who have a desire for a better life, I understand, inevitably, that there will be temptations on the road ahead.

There will be times when the road you are travelling on will get bumpy, and thoughts of old habits and routines will start to stray into your mind.

And when that happens, I want you to think about your purpose in life. Think about those around you who care about you and depend on you. It would help if you did everything in your power to strive toward an indestructible healthy mindset.

Please do not give up when things get hard. And, don’t be held back by where you came from, it matters more where you are going.

Be proud of your accomplishments, take one day at a time, and find the strength to stay to the wicket. Theodore Roosevelt said it best – and I quote: “Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.”

I also want to thank the men and women here at the Co-Ed Facility who work in the Right Living House Programme to make it a successful and viable option for those within the Facility looking to turn their lives around.

Everyone within the programme plays an integral role in this success, from the peer groups to the counselling staff members, who constitute “the family”.

September is National Recovery Month, an observation in its 33rd year, having begun in the USA. This year’s Recovery Month theme is “Recovery is for Everyone: Every person, Every Family, Every Community”.

The observance highlights the achievements of individuals who have reclaimed their lives in long-term recovery and honours the treatment and recovery service providers who make a recovery possible.

I wish you much success in your recovery journey. As I close, I am reminded of a quote by Wayne Dyer in James Allen’s monthly meditation book ‘Day by Day’.

Today, the 14th day of the month – Harmonising thoughts; “Work each day on your thoughts rather than concentrating on your behaviour.

“It is your thinking that creates the feelings you have and ultimately your actions as well.”

Thank you.

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