Recent media reports referred to cases of individuals who have, or allegedly have/had, a substance abuse problem, linking it to their loss of integrity and weak abilities as individuals.
The Foundation for Social Welfare Services disagrees with this approach used by both the media and the general public. People with a substance abuse problem can overcome their addiction by seeking the necessary help offered by the various community services and residential rehabilitation programmes available in Malta. Thanks to this support, as well as the support provided by family and friends, these people are capable of fully integrating back into society as responsible citizens and give their contribution, even at the place of work. However, this is only possible if we give them the opportunity to do so, and do away with the social stigma that mark these people.
A few weeks ago, five people graduated from Komunità Santa Marija, the residential rehabilitation programme offered by Aġenzija Sedqa in the Foundation for Social Welfare Services. These people have not only overcome their drug addiction problem, but some of them have also found gainful employment. During 2009, there were 449 people who received support from sedqa’s Drugs Community Services because of their drug dependency – 115 people with an alcohol problem have used the Agency’s Alcohol Community Services, and another 17 started attending the Agency’s alcohol residential rehabilitation programme at Dar Żerniq. Most of them live a normal life, just like all other members of society.
We are all responsible to help these people re-integrate into society by giving them an opportunity to re-build their lives and contribute to society.
Moreover, Aġenzija Sedqa also offers the S.A.F.E. programme, which deals with substance abuse at the workplace. S.A.F.E. provides various initiatives, both to members of management and employees. The main aim of this programme is that organisations / entities adopt a policy on how to help employees who have a substance abuse problem.
Sina Bugeja
Chief Executive Officer
Foundation for Social Welfare Services