A drug rehabilitation centre for teenagers under the age of 18 should start operating this year, Social Solidarity Minister Michael Falzon told Parliament on Tuesday.

“It should start operating this year. Our plan was that it would open last year, but we know what happened due to pandemic,” he said.

“Until today, we don’t have a facility to rehabilitate people under the age of 18. For older individuals, there are three facilities located around the country; OASI in Gozo; the Caritas San Blas Therapeutic Community in Żebbuġ and Aġenzija Sedqa in Ħal Luqa. The three centres are intentioned only for those 18 and over.”

The minister noted that although there is not a huge number of teenagers and children who abuse of drugs, they still need to be taken care of in order to get out of the vicious cycle. He remarked that the new centre will cost around €4 million and has a running cost of €1 million per year. “Caritas will operate it. The cost was covered by the government.”

Falzon explained that if there are cases where a child needs a year of rehabilitation and to reside there, it will not have an affect on their studies. So, for example, if the child should be studying form 4 material, the facility will provide educational services to cover for it so they can advance to form 5 in the following scholastic year. 

“It will be a licensed educational institution.”

Falzon noted that the facility will cater for 14 residents and serves another 10 in similar form of a day centre.

“There are children whose parents use drugs. This can become a way of life for them. These habits would be inherited by the children.”

Falzon said that more people are coming forward for help and rehabilitation. He signalled the need to think about after-care for released residents as well.