President Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro described the difficulties faced by persons graduating from drug rehabilitation programmes.

She delivered her speech during a graduation ceremony for persons graduating from such a programme. She thanked and praised the Caritas team for their work and dedication, for the lives they have saved of the individuals who attend such programmes, and also of their families.

She appealed to the authorities to give the necessary support to those persons who graduate from such programmes, and for them to be given the help they need as they continue on their journeys.

"While it is important to recognise the changes for the better that authorities have made over the years, and improvement in laws and policies to provide more support to persons who liberate themselves from drug abuse, we should not stop here."

Giving examples of such difficulties, she mentioned the difficulties many people find when they have pending cases before the courts after having finished such programmes. She appealed to the authorities to address this difficulty. "We have a situation where a number of these persons, after finishing such a programme, still have pending cases before the courts as the courts do not treat cases at the same time. A few of these people even end up behind bars after having rehabilitated themselves back into society."

Another difficulty, she said, revolves around where they will got and stay once they graduate from the programme. "Many of them won;t have a place to live."