The government yesterday launched the first-ever draft National Drug Policy, which deals with tackling rampant drug abuse.
The document, which was launched for an eight-week public consultation period, puts together the practices which are to be adopted by the various bodies, government or non-governmental organisations, when dealing with drug abuse.
The main aim, according to Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina, is to coordinate these entities which are providing such an important service in order to ensure that the limited resources available are used in the best possible way. She said the policy was meant to improve the quality of service given to substance misusers and provide a more coordinated system through which the drug supply and demand are reduced as much as possible.
Ms Cristina said that alcohol, which appears to be the most commonly abused substance among young people shall be addressed in a separate policy which is presently being compiled and should be completed in a few weeks.
A separate report on Malta’s drug situation reveals that cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug used by young people, particularly those between 18 and 24 year of age. The statistics show that the number of people who resort to daily heroin use is 1,727. Of these, an average of 1,100 are receiving treatment.
Between 1994 and 2005, there were 75 deaths due to drug abuse. In 2005 alone, the police have 171 records of reported non-fatal overdoses involving 67 men and 104 women.
The draft National Drug Policy has 47 actions with which the input of various government, voluntary and private entities dealing with substance abuse are guided, coordinated and regulated. The policy provides a framework for professionals and key care workers providing essential drug-related services.
It also provides a framework for all educational establishments, youth organisations and professional bodies through which prevention programmes and other related initiatives and activities may be facilitated and promoted.
One of the proposals is the setting up of a drug court that streamlines all drug-related court cases.
Minister Cristina said the drug policy is important because it will change the way the problem is dealt with.
She said the authorities and various entities are already addressing the drug problem but not enough is being done.
Eliminating the drug problem is almost impossible but prevention is the name of the game, she said.
Feedback on this draft policy will be received until 14 September after which the feedback will be analysed and a final draft will be compiled for discussion.
Professor Richard Muscat, who chaired the National Focal Point for Drugs and Drug Addiction, said that there was an increase in people from the southern harbour region who sought help for their drug addiction.