Once again Oasi Foundation, an NGO based in Gozo, focused on supporting people who are struggling with addictions was at the forefront in the debate surrounding a reform in the drug legislation that occurred this time last year.  Evaluating progress is undoubtedly commendable.

On Friday during a seminar organised at the Verdala Palace under the patronage of President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca there was a healthy debate between most of the stakeholders in this sector; police force, Agency Sedqa, Caritas, Oasi Foundation, the Education Division, Lawyers, Criminologists, the Justice Commissioner and the Probation Services amongst other.  

Putting our heads together is every time a good thing to do.

I must admit that what shocked me most was Manwel Gellel's presentation. Gellel, the Manager at the National Coordinating Unit for Drugs and Alcohol, outlined in his presentation how hundreds of persons, mostly young people, are currently engaged by our social services and NGOs.  Even though the number of people receiving community, residential and therapeutic support is enormous it would be even more shocking if we had to think of the large number of young people who are already immersed in addiction but are either embarrassed to ask for help, believe they can tackle the problem on their own or else do not admit they have a difficulty in the first place.

I think that the matter that was pointed out was invariably significant.

Even though I come from the youth sector as Head the Department of Youth and Community Studies it still feels surreal that there are so many young people struggling with addictions especially when one considers the efforts and the resources (financial and human) that are being propelled into this sector.  Millions of Euros, and rightly so, are being dedicated to Agenzija Sedqa (with an estimated budget of 3.5 million Euros, obviously addressing other addictions and services apart from drugs). Caritas and Oasi also cost a lot of money to run especially when it comes to the residential programmes.  One would need to add the costs incurred by the Police Force, the Courts, Correctional Facilitates, the Educational Services - to try and tackle this drug addiction crisis as comprehensively and as effectively as possible.  Worryingly so, statistics are indicating that addiction is a growing problem and children are starting to take drugs at an earlier age.

Nonetheless, I feel that this sector still hasn't got a clear strategy and approach yet.  We have too many 'individual' and knee-jerk initiatives taking place.  Undoubtedly we are copious in programmes, effort and motivation but I am not too sure we have a clear road map what we want to achieve and how we want to get there.  I believe that at this stage more than ever we need to have a plan founded on clear targets and objectives.

I do appreciate that social policy is always very difficult to plan for but we still need to have a vision.  Being so complex and having so many stakeholders looking at different aspects of this phenomenon one wouldn't imagine it being an easy thing to sort out.

However much as this may sound cliche' I believe that this sector needs a coordinated approach.  NGOs and state agencies need to retain their autonomy and character but that doesn't mean that everyone should be looking at this phenomenon from a completely different angle.  During the said seminar it was fitting to see the agencies all sitting together and cordially discussing the core business they are so affianced with.  It is also pretty to witness that by and large we are all in agreement that this is a concern that needs to have a national coordinated effort.

The more divided we are in this sector the more the unruly will be in control.  We need to start by defining the roles of the three main agencies in this sector dedicated to addictions.  I am sure that after so many years we are able to classify what the strong points of Agenzija Sedqa, Caritas and Fondazzjoni Oasiare.

Much as the agencies might deny this, it is ridiculous competing at this level because it leaves the service users hanging perilously in-between services.  There is also an issue of enforcement.  I think the resources being dedicated to this sector are not enough. 

It is obvious that the police force needs to strengthen its operations and provide a more robust reaction focused mainly on the drug lords rather than make a show out of young people who take drugs and deal to sustain their own habit.  Cutting off the supply is of the essence.

We also need to create more space for our educators and listen to what they are telling us.  Children spend almost a third of their day at school and educators know exactly what the challenges are.  I concur with what  Dun Manwel Cordina, Director General ofFondazzjoni Oasi said during this seminar, that drug abuse is not ‘the cause’.  Drug abuse is just the tip of the problem, the symptom of the real difficulties.  What we need to establish is why are young people resorting to drugs?  Maybe it is an issue of peer pressure or a way of dealing with their family and personal problems or the result of additional pressure or part of the leisure activity?

That is why research is so important.  It is only through empirical research that we can understand better what the challenges are in this sector.

I will conclude this column with what Janet(fictional name) told me when I visited her in prison some days ago: ”I feel so ashamed being in prison but the truth is that I know I have an addictive personality. My family and my teachers knew as well but I didn't get any support from them. The system has failed me.  I know I am at fault for what I did and will not in any way try to excuse my actions. However, since I was young the immense problems I experienced at home were for all to see. Maybe if the problems had been nipped in the bud I would have done well for myself. I know that with the right type of support I wouldn't have ended up where I am now. I was left completely on my own. People just turned their faces away from me.  It is true that I've allowed people to use me but drugs took it all away from me.  I had to literally sell myself to support my habit apart from stealing from my mother which was even more humiliating. I feel ashamed.  I cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel.   A warder told me that everything happens for a reason in life and even being incarcerated could have its positives – I’m not too sure about this.'

(Janet 24-year-old drug addict and prisoner)