On behalf of the members of the National Commission on the Abuse of Drugs, Alcohol and Other Dependencies, I would like to clarify some issues raised in the article by the Malta Labour Party spokesman for Home Affairs Gavin Gulia, A need for braver action (TMID, 23 July), following the launch of the first draft National Drugs Policy by Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina.

Since its setting up, the Commission has embarked on an exercise the objective of which is to provide good and reliable information on the state of the drug problem in Malta. Without this information, the debate would otherwise, as has been the case on a number of occasions in the past, turn to what Dr Gulia states as “acrimonious”. Consequently, the three national reports to date (2004, 2005, 2006) on the state of the drug problem in Malta and the responses to it have provided the evidence on which this draft policy has been based.

It is apparent that coming into contact with drugs in whatever shape or form, from being a passive member of the public going about one’s business to the other extreme of drug trafficking, has an impact on a number of structures both in the government and the voluntary sector and sometimes this has resulted in some confusion. If we are to get the best results in what we are trying to achieve, then the structures involved need to be clearly spelt out and the functions of these structures also need to be clearly documented. The policy addresses this specific issue.

From the point of the supply side, which has a major impact on the justice system as using and/or dealing in drugs is an offence, then as Dr Gulia made quite plain, we need to have in place the instruments through which drug users do not become involved in what is termed “the revolving door syndrome”. A section in the draft National Drugs Policy which deals with supply reduction and another that relates to legislation identify a number of actions to directly target this particular aspect. It goes without saying that all parties need to pull the same rope on this issue and the justice system, with the backing of all, then needs to take the appropriate “brave” actions, such as those suggested in the draft National Drugs Policy, to prevent such a syndrome occurring.

Society as a whole acknowledges the difference between the drug barons and the victims of their trade, drug addicts, in that they consider the latter as patients and the former criminals. This policy recognises this fact and identifies actions to help the drug addict but penalise the baron.

Finally, this draft National Drugs Policy does not make any claim that all has been covered but it is based on the evidence to date. Now is the time for all interested persons and organisations to have their say in the form of feedback, comments and new ideas, so that the government will be able to take these into account when drawing up the final version of the policy. Anybody wishing to send feedback may do so by writing to the Family and Social Solidarity Ministry, Palazzo Ferreria, 310 Republic Street, Valletta VLT 2000 or by sending an email to: [email protected].

Richard Muscat

Chairperson

National Commission on the Abuse of Drugs, Alcohol and Other Dependencies