I begin with my humble words, expressed from the bottom of my heart and fruit of my experience. Chapter 10 of the Book of Proverbs in the Bible states: "Like choice, silver is the Just man's tongue, but the tongue of the wicked is of little worth. The lips of the Just know how to please, but the mouth of the wicked how to pervert."

I was deeply shocked, when I lately read in our newspapers that "Cannabis is harm reduction".

As a Salesian of Don Bosco, I am convinced that the young today are not wicked but alienated, disorientated, hence they are in extreme need of models and ideals, which they can identify themselves with.

Every citizen in Malta has an urgent obligation towards young people but to say that "Cannabis is harm reduction" is an overstatement.

I am quoting the following Irish expert, Eddie Fitzgerald SDB from my book, Crimes of the innocent, which was published in 1999. He dedicated most of his life to drug addicts: "There is no such thing as a harmless drug. All drugs are potentially destructive. Too many people still believe the myth that Cannabis (marijuana, pot, hash) is relatively innocuous. All the evidence today shows that this is simply not true. Cannabis is now known to have adverse effects on the brain, impairing judgement, memory and co-ordination. It affects the lungs, interfering with pulmonary functions and carrying a greater risk of cancer than heavy cigarette-smoking. It attacks the immune and reproductive system. More subtly, but no less harmfully, it prevents adolescents from becoming mature, responsible adults by offering them an escape from the inevitable tensions and difficulties of growing up." (Drugs by Eddie Fitzgerald SDB).

I hope that this makes us reflect deeply. I am concerned for the parents who are struggling to educate their children. Everybody in Malta, especially politicians, are duty bound to reflect deeply as they have the responsibility to defend our children's integrity.

"It is simply not true to say that parents are helpless or that there is nothing they can do. The present situation is bad but not hopeless. The battle is not lost. It is important for parents to realize the power they actually have. By means of individual and collective action parents can effectively prevent drugs from entering their own home and succeed in curbing the spread of drugs in our society."

The root of this problem lies primarily in the fact that one's faith in God diminishes and life becomes miserable and oppressive. In order to achieve personal fulfillment, then, one seeks substitutes which will never make one happy, instead, they oppress one's conscience, they drive away peace from one's heart and lead towards disaster and a sense of personal condemnation.

One dehumanises oneself when making a choice for cannabis, ecstasy and haxix. It is an illusion to believe that these substances raise our dignity and respect. On the other hand these create on society disorientation, humiliation and family problems. Ultimately, they destroy the person himself. The use of these substances, destroy the beauty, the dignity and one's harmonious life which are a gift from God.

I would like to ask all members of Parliament: "Would you be happy, should your children become addicted to drugs; any drugs? What responsibility are you taking as elected members of Parliament, in the name of those who elected you?"

I urge parents and educators to speak up please!

"I conclude that if this is still happening in Malta, it is because we have no conscience any more. I urge everyone to refer to the teachings of the new Catechism of the Catholic Church: 'Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey. Its voice ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sounds in his heart at the right moment. For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God... His conscience is man's most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths'."

Today man is disorientated. As a result, both his personal and social life have become a dramatic struggle, between good and evil, between light and darkness. Please do something about it. People in Malta know the source of the problem. Why aren't they speaking about it? They prefer to remain silent and keep their mouths shut. Even the Mafia prefers the conspiracy of silence.

Politicians play an important role in the drug battle. They should strive for the growth of a new conscience in the country. They should not be conditioned by anyone. How many innocent people are going to suffer because they are weak!

Politicians are convinced that they are achieving historical merits. If only they could live the present. Are they afraid to face the young, afflicted with heroin and cocaine? Let us bring light not only on the historical bastions of Valletta but also on the present blackout of certain places.

In Malta we share the same drug problem as other countries all over the world. Politicians, past and the present, always promise to fight the drug problem in Malta.

For me these are all vague and fake promises which are used by them to win votes. They surely know who the big ones are, but always the small fish are caught. Police say that they have to work according to the law and that they cannot do what they want. Drugs are money and there is far too much interest. Please, consent me to kneel down and beg all those responsible to keep Malta clean from drugs and grant freedom to our children. Is this the price we have to pay for liberty? I am not afraid to shout ardently to all our brothers and sisters to take action!

To stop alcohol being served in bars and discotheques to our younger ones until the very early hours of the morning. Close bars and discos at certain hours. We must all fight together! The problem has become too open not to be noticed.

I recall a person going to buy at any time he needs it. It is not a question of nighttime any longer. Drugs are being sold even in full daylight when everyone can notice."

I finish with these words: "Harm Reduction".

I will quote again the prayer from my book, Crimes of the innocent: "O Lord have mercy on us. Save us from this plague. You know how difficult it is to convince an addict to get out of drugs. Not days, but months and years are needed to save only one. You know how many people suffer because of one drug-addict and what a chaotic environment he or she creates. Wipe the tears of so many mothers. Let not our graves be filled with victims in their prime of life. Give us the strength and the courage to continue in our battle and not surrender in front of this evil. And help us not forget that you are the ultimate judge of both the living and the dead. Amen."

This battle is not about politics but about conscience.