It is really frustrating when a journalist, actually lots of journalists, publishes material that promises to turn into a real authentic typhoon of a story and then only make what looks like a ripple in a small pool by the wayside. One such instance occurred recently when some journalists dreamt of creating a sensation, to enhance their image as journalists, perhaps.

The subject was the alleged rampant substance abuse inside CCF. These journalists either knew what they were writing about and dared not or were not permitted to do so, or they used the topic as a stepping stone to move up, for their own self gain in prestige perhaps, like writing a shocking title with no substance below.

Oh, yes, an ex prison educator was indeed interviewed. The questions put to him were somewhat superficial and orchestrated and so were the answers; so guarded were these that it was obvious that he was bound by secrecy and so on. He was not saying anything. The only matter of consequence that resulted from his answers was that, yes, visitors to prisoners are definitely not the ones that smuggle (sic) these substances into prison. And that was indeed a daring and damning answer.

The CCF management, on the other hand, just shrugged off the questions and, a propos, added that the CCF was understaffed. That is all. Just lump it. As if that justifies and condones anything. Oh yes, there was even a PL spokesperson who, for the sake of partisan balance, was very worried indeed about the whole situation. All politicians are saying how worried they are all the time about anything one cares to mention to them, about every topic, and even more about this one. The more tasty and splashy the ripple appears to be, the more worry they express and stop there. But they know what they know and their agenda is just to sling mud at their political adversaries and take free rides. And these epitomes of Maltese society, PNPL, are always worrying about something, poor guys! Yet none of them ever suffers from a cardiac infarction or a stroke or stomach ulcers from the worry. Another ripple meant to decorate the threadbare cap of some journalist under stress provides another free ride.

In my hallucinations I fantasised some questions, really deep questions, I would have dared ask. They are based especially on information disseminated to the general public to raise awareness on substance abuse and on matters arising from the scanty answers given by those interviewed.

The general public is made aware that substance abusers have to have their stuff wherever they are when the time comes. That is why they rob and burgle all the time in order to finance their drug habit.

Otherwise they go ‘cold turkey’ and suffer excruciating pain and only they know what else. How do these people manage to finance their habit once inside and have no income, licit or not? How does management, with an understaffed facility, control and manage a couple of hundred or more of hardened criminal substance abusers who are MOST definitely not on a rehabilitation programme and who have to have their stuff when their time is due? Are we supposed to hear horrible screams of pain coming from inside the walls of the prison if we listen carefully? Are they kept chained to a wall? Are we expected to believe that once locked up these hardened criminal substance-abusers who mugged senior citizens to near death for a shot to suddenly transmute into docile lambs, docile enough to control with a short staff, once inside, withdrawal symptoms and all? It is amazing that we do not have any revolts in our overcrowded and understaffed facility.

How gullible do four-a-penny journalists and none-a-penny worthless politicians and their appointees think the public is? Oh yes! Thousands are because of partisan allegiances. But many do think with their own mind and have shown it and here’s hoping they will again. That is the real deep splash in the ocean; nothing compared to the little ripple in a rainwater puddle of half-baked journalists.

In my flights of fancy I see juicy, succulent carrots dangling. These are not grown in glasshouses. Yes, Bugs Bunny has to obey, stay to heel and comply to have his daily carrot/s.

Parting shot: What assurance does the public have that the substances confiscated by law enforcers, the police, Customs, and so on, do not end up being sown as carrots for dangling?

Frank Galea

ZEBBUG