Governor Markell delivers 2015 State Of The State Address
When discussing the State of Delaware Thursday, Governor Jack Markell did not shy away from addressing drug abuse, specifically the heroin epidemic.
“Last year, Delaware saw a death from an overdose an average of every other day. That means someone’s father, mother, or child died yesterday, and tomorrow we’ll lose another father, mother, or child.” Said Governor Markell.
Governor Markell says the criminal justice system needs to be realistic about the fact that offenders often suffer from addiction,and whether or not offenders have been arrested, people caught in the throes of addiction need a place where they will treated, and not judged.
To that, Markell said, “we have invested in a treatment center in Sussex County to help downstate residents and greater capacity for detox in New Castle County. And we passed legislation providing for wider use of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone.”
Naloxone could in fact be a key part of keeping people alive.
According to a CDC report released last October, the problem prescription painkiller overdoses is continuing nationwide, but not growing.
The problem of heroin overdoses is.
When talking Thursday about drugs, Governor Markell emphasized education, prevention, and early intervention.
He did not talk directly about law enforcement’s role.
On the job front, Governor Markell said more needs to be done to prepare people for the job market.
A changing market.
Markell says that by the year 2025, at least 65% of all jobs will require training beyond high school.
He introduced a new state goal which he’s calling “Delaware Promise”, that by 2025 65% of the state’s workforce will graduate college or have a professional certificate and everyone will graduate high school.
Despite vast room for improvement, Governor Markell is still encouraged by the present.
“There are more people working in Delaware now than at any time in our state’s history.” He said.
Also, during today’s state of the state address, Governor Markell announced a new push to provide men and women in prison more opportunities to develop job skills so they find decent employment once they’re out. In essence, preventing them from reverting to a life of crime and becoming repeat offenders.
Markell proposed specifically expanding the culinary arts program at James T. Vaughn correctional institution.
He said late restaurateur and philanthropist Matt Haley was an inspiration for this idea, since Haley made it known that he credited his culinary training in prison with turning his life around.
Markell said, quote “It’s appropriate that we name this initiative the Matt Haley Culinary Arts Program as a reminder that everyone has something to contribute when given the chance.”
