Drug Abuse & Work Shy
In recent weeks a couple of things have made an impact on myself, first two police officers visited my Bar in East Street to test for cocaine abuse this was a project which they were carrying out in all license premises. I welcomed them knowing full well mine was a drug free environment, when we have functions we are very strict on under age drinking and check people for drugs. Some weeks later the Police returned congratulating me on have the lowest readings in the town, at first I felt pretty smug then it hit me they actually found traces in my establishment I felt flabbergasted. On talking to some youngsters I am told that it is common place, so what has happened to this country of ours? Tony Blair had a theme tune when he got elected in 1997 “It can only get better” well I have to agree with him there it certainly has got better for drug dealers and users but at what cost. People like me were saying years ago that the approach of treating Drug Dealers as their main target and the users as victims was wrong. When will those in power realise that the pusher is the users best friend, their should no such thing as “for personal use” those caught using should be treated as criminals or would this criminalize many children of the professional classes? I have now closed our function hall and turned it into another Martial Arts Dojo, the Bar will remain open for members, friends and decent people.
Next I have just finished building 4 studio flats at the rear of the Martial centre and have offered them for rental, I was shocked by how many 17 year to 20 year old want their own accommodation. When I asked them if they could supply an employer’s reference with a NI number most were not working, stating that the Council would pay their rent and £400 deposit my question is why are they not working what’s a matter with their parents home? I also did not know how many immigrants we have in the town as I was inundated with calls from people who could hardly speak English, although I want to see immigration stopped I am pragmatic enough to know that we have to accept those who are here in fact one of my Black belts is an Iranian refugee. Yet I ask the same question have you an employers reference with NI insurance number, this will tell me if they are in this country legally, again none had jobs, plus all them told me the government would pay all rent etc!
Can somebody tell me what is happening in this country? We have a country where there are millions unemployed and on benefit yet the government still encourages foreign workers to here to work, the more they come the more unemployed. It reminds of the saying “the lunatics have taken over the Metal institution”
Martin Clarke
Roman ward
118 East Street
Sittingbourne