The procedure in Malta when one is caught stealing in order to buy drugs is usually a probation of two to three years if it is the accused’s first offence.

Once the addiction is there, however, the user will not lose any sleep over breaking any rules, which will harm his probation sentence. One does not stop using drugs just because he is “severely reprimanded” by being put on probation.

A drug user will sell his soul to the devil if this means he will earn enough money to get that much needed fix. Not hard to understand if one is a gambler or a fervent cigarette smoker with yellow teeth and even more yellowish stained fingers.

These addictions will not provoke the gambler or cigarette smoker to a drug addict’s extremes though.

Now, what hope is there for this drug user who is out on probation, still using drugs, still stealing to pay for his habit (trying to be more careful he doesn’t get caught this time), still destroying a family so distraught over their much loved son/daughter who is adamantly not to follow a rehabilitation programme?

I will never give up on the hope that somehow, some day we will have a hospital for drug addicts.

On probation for the use of drugs is only saying “keep on using drugs” to the drug abuser because drugs are like an octopus whose “fingers” can reach you wherever you are.

We must find an alternative to those who do not want to follow a rehabilitation programme of their own free will. This should be done for their sake, the people that love them, the people they steal from and the generation that comes next.

Valerie Borg

Valletta