The Drug Dependency Bill: Treatment not Imprisonment will come into force on 15 April, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici announced today.

Speaking during a news conference held at the Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta, Dr Bonnici said that the government could have easily shied away from taking the step of trying to reform drug victims but took the plunge with all the risks the move may bring.

He emphasised that the government immediately took full responsibility and hit the ground running by launching a public consultation to discuss the White Paper tied to the drug reform.

Individuals caught with not more than 2 grams of drugs will appear before the justice commissioner – Vicky Sultana. If an individual appears before the commissioner for a second time, he or she will then have to appear before the board for the rehabilitation of drug victims. Penalties for drug offenders will include community work at Heritage Malta.

The board members were also announced and comprise Romina Baldwin – a councillor by profession, Mariella Camilleri, and Leonard Manicolo. The board secretary is Doris Sultana while Mariella Dimech – a social worker – has been tasked to conduct follow-ups of those individuals who are reforming themselves.

Judge Giovanni Bonello has been appointed the chairman of the board.

Judge Bonello said that the traditional methods – that of repression - used to ‘reform’ drug offenders did not give any good results. “We believe that the new law and system may help drug victims kick the habit but did admit that it won’t be any easy task, but we will not give up,” he said.

The board members will not work full-time but Dr Bonnici said that the government made sure the right structures are in place to avoid a backlog of cases.

Dr Bonnici warned that this law does not apply for drug traffickers, adding that if there are certain individuals who intend using this law as an excuse, they are mistaken.