The Editor, Sir:

I join those who call for social interventions to stem the violence caused by vengeful and ruthless young men among us who have murdered in gruesome fashion more than 1,100 persons (including a 4-month-old baby) so far this year. Stiffer fines and compulsory military service are inadequate remedies. I urge a massive public works programme.

The underpinning to be: (i) skills training to buttress the employability of those for whom nothing a 'gwaan'; (ii) eco-management to source employment for unemployed able-bodied persons of working age in the society, and (iii) re-socialisation to inculcate such old values as honesty, self-respect, discipline, healthy work ethic and responsible citizenship.

New deal

Such a programme might include: (a) routine repair maintenance of certain government buildings, i.e., police stations, schools, health clinics and the gully system; (b) rehabilitation of the railway system and keeping rural roads in good repair; (c) establishing government farms to supply food to prisons, hospitals and schools; establishing a tree-planting milieu for aesthetics and soil conservation to give Jamaica a new deal.

Males must be targeted (incarcerated and non-incarcerated), especially male youths, because too many of them appear to have lost their reason and show so little hint of humanity.

The new government and its agencies must now show strong leadership and kill the viper. The Parliament must be decisive to remove the scourge. So it must enact or strengthen a raft of laws now to require compulsory gainful employment of all able-bodied members of the society.

I am, etc.,

BARRIE A. WALKER

unclebarrie@anbell.net

Kingston 8