The first national drug report estimates that there are between 2,750 and 3,000 problem heroin users in Malta, clearly showing that heroin use remains a major concern.

Although the figure is just an estimate as it was reached through a statistical technique rather than through direct survey matters, the fact that so many are or have been hooked to heroin is preoccupying.

The report also indicates that drug use in Malta is limited to a small section of the population, considering that only 3.5 per cent of the 18-64 year-olds interviewed said that they had tried cannabis. In all, it seems that some 10,000 persons have therefore used drugs, rising to 13,000 (4.9 per cent) if one were to take into consideration only those aged between 18 and 24.

Cannabis use in Malta only amounts to twice the figures of other drug types, when in other west European nations this is usually five times as much.

According to the report, this suggests that drug use is restricted to a particular group of people who seem to use more than one type of drug and therefore is not a widespread phenomenon throughout the population.

Although these numbers might be smaller than the general perception, it must be pointed out that each of the cases mentioned above concerns an individual and, on a wider scale, his or her family too.

This is more so when it comes to abuse of hard drugs, such as heroin. Apart from the physical harm that this causes, one has also to take into consideration the amount of money needed to sustain heroin addiction, which could therefore lead to criminal behaviour, and the psychological trauma drug abuse has on the user and those who are closest to him or her.

Are we doing enough to keep young people away from drugs? Or are we putting so much pressure on them that they are led to believe that taking drugs is a solution?

Are we educating children enough about the harm caused by drug taking? Are we being so efficient in our education system that young people turn away from drugs even when there is the temptation to turn to them? Would it be better to have one fewer mathematics lesson a week and an extra one about civic behaviour, with drug abuse included among other subjects such as the environment and national heritage?

Is the Lm1.5 million being spent by the government every year to combat drug abuse enough? Or should more funds be allotted to save at least one more life?

Are the police doing enough to track down drug pushers and stop them from making money at the expense of the users? Are the law courts handing down harsh sentences if these drug pushers are found guilty?

These are all questions that need to be answered by all those involved in curbing the drug problem.

One important suggestion that was made during the press conference when the report was made public was the setting up of a specialised drug court, the idea being to improve the existing structure. Having a judge or a magistrate working more with other professionals in the field – such as probation officers, social workers and psychologists – should help bring about more efficiency and, possibly, better results.

We must all work harder to increase awareness as to the harm caused by taking drugs. The fact that between 1991 and 2003 there were 63 direct drug related deaths, four of them women, ought to be enough to push the authorities into doing more to curb the problem.

The average age of these victims was just over 30. We should not allow more lives to be lost because of drugs.