MEDIA reports have said that heroin arrests have gone up.

But what more can we do to help drug abusers here?

Many of them have been in prison several times, but why do they keep returning to drugs?

From a layman's perspective, employment, or rather, the lack of it could be a factor.

Although campaigns such as the Yellow Ribbon Project urge employers to give offenders a second chance, how many are really open to hiring ex-offenders?

By not giving them another opportunity to integrate into the workforce, they may feel like outcasts and return to their old ways.

I have seen self-help groups encourage ex-offenders to take up courses to increase their chances of employment.

They also offer guidance counselling. But are these enough to ensure that they are not only gainfully employed, but continue to remain "clean"?

Some ex-offenders have said there are employers willing to hire them, but they are paid so poorly, they cannot support their families.

This would lead to a drop in their self-esteem.

I believe most ex-offenders would love to be integrated into society and lead normal lives.

I hope employers will do their part to help integrate them into society.

And I also hope more can be done to encourage and educate society and employers to be more supportive towards the plight of these ex-offenders.

Nur Suhardi Mohamed