PETALING JAYA: More than 30 years ago, Shamsul hit a low point in his life when he was admitted to a drug rehabilitation centre after being entangled in substance abuse.
Upon release, he thought all was going well until he relapsed again in 2013, which saw him being put behind bars.
Following this, he was sent to the Rumah Pengasih Selangor drug rehabilitation centre as part of the parole programme. It was there that things began turning around for the now 53-year-old.
“I was assigned to work at a public cafeteria, besides performing odd jobs for the centre’s management,” he said.
This proved to be a stepping stone for Shamsul, who was later employed by a quality assurance company which took part in the centre’s reintegration programme for former drug addicts.
“It was a new opportunity for me, with my employers giving me a chance to prove myself.
“Regardless of my past, they told me to let bygones be bygones. What mattered was what I did in the present,” he said.
Shamsul remained unfazed by the stigma associated with being a former inmate.
“It (stigma) motivates me to achieve more, and today, I can rent my own home and own a motorbike with my earnings,” he said, adding that his family’s support kept him going.
Shamsul continues to revisit Rumah Pengasih in his bid to inspire others.
“I want to show others that starting anew is not impossible. Things can change for the better, which is the best way to show gratitude for those who believed in us,” he said.
Megahawati AM Yusof, 60, who spent more than half her life in and out of jail due to drug abuse, is also helping others overcome their addiction.
“It was a tough journey fraught with relapses. I then admitted myself into a rehabilitation centre and successfully managed to kill the habit.
“Since then, I have been serving at the same centre that gave me refuge to help others in need, especially female drug offenders,” she said.
Upon hearing news of the government targeting to employ more former inmates this year, Megahawati said she was glad and fully supportive of it.
“I remember when my previous employer found out about my criminal record (for drug offences) and fired me instantly.
“We’ve come a long way since then, and I’m glad we are overcoming the stigma that former convicts face daily.
“I know how it feels to be rejected by society,” she said.
Rumah Pengasih Selangor chairman Jaafar Daud said the centre would receive up to 120 residents annually to enrol in its rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
“Some of them were sent in by their families, while others were referred to us by hospitals, prisons and even from the streets.
“After undergoing two months’ parole with us, they can be released, but we still get concerned about them relapsing. Hence, we try finding jobs for them to take up once they are done with the parole,” he said.
He also said some employers showed support for the initiative and would hire these former inmates while others refrained from employing them due to stigma.
“We have met with the relevant ministries and NGOs to discuss better laws dealing with drug addicts.
“Under the current process, those caught (for drug abuse) will have their names recorded in the system, affecting their lives.
“This makes it harder for them to secure jobs, further studies or take loans with banks,” he said, adding the government should focus on recovery and rehabilitation programmes instead.
Jaafar also agreed that employing former inmates would help reduce the country’s dependence on foreign workers.
“I find it odd how some employers don’t even know about their foreign workers’ backgrounds – the workers could be ex-convicts too. But when it comes to local former inmates seeking employment, they would become selective,” he added.
