Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has urged the government to initiate a policy to provide rehabilitated drug addicts with employment in the public sector.

The move, he said would help keep them away from crime.

"If they fail to seek employment they will continue to be involved in petty crimes, such as snatch thefts," he said in a statement here today.

Lee, who is a member of the National Social Council said the government should consider initiating the employment policy just as it has a policy on employment for disabled persons.

At the same time Lee also called on the private sector to look into the employment of former drug addicts and help them to be re-integrated into the society.