A drug report presented today showed that in 2020, a significant increase in cocaine users was noted and that, although drug related emergencies have decreased slightly, the number is still high.
Co-Author of the report Manuel Gellel stated that the report aims to look at all aspects of life which are effect or effect drug abuse. “This includes health, enforcement and services available for rehabilitation.”
Throughout 2020, a total of 516 medical emergencies were reported due to drug abuse. The two most popular drugs to cause medical emergencies were cocaine (273 cases) and cannabis (136 cases). Heroin and other synthetic drugs made up the rest of the 107 cases each having 58 and 49 cases respectively.
Drug Arraignments
With regard to drug arraignments, Gellel stated that since 2016, the report indicates a steady decline in drugs seized by the police in raids. Family Minister Michael Falzon said that “the decrease could possibly be due to the Covid-19 situation.”
Although the pandemic situation might have helped this statistic, in 2016, a total of 775 arraignments were made both for drug possession and also drug trafficking. In 2020 the amount of arraignments decreased to a total of 283 arraignments.
The main three drugs seized during various police raids were cocaine, herbal cannabis and heroine. A total of 524 kilogrammes of cocaine, 151 kilogrammes of cannabis and 1.85 kilogrammes of heroin were seized in total.
Cocaine and cannabis
Cocaine has become the second most popular primary drug for all people currently undergoing treatment at various rehabilitation centres. Cannabis on the other hand is the second most popular drug for first time rehabilitation seekers, the report showed.
During 2020, cocaine users amount for 52% of first treated entrees. This percentage shows a steady increase since 2016 were per year the percentages were 32% in 2016, 40% in 2017, 49% in 2018 another 49% in 2019 and 52% in 2020.
On the other hand cannabis amounts to a total of 14% of primary drug use among people who seek the services of rehabilitation entrees.
Gellel then pointed out the harrowing statistic of first time rehabilitation seekers. In 2020, the first time rehabilitation seekers almost doubled the average of the previous years. “On a positive note, one can also realise that there was an increase in people coming forward to help rehabilitate themselves.”
Falzon then continued with a strong message to society. “We have to recognise the fact that in Malta there are people who abuse of drugs. Whether they do this to escape from reality or not we have to be there for them as a society and not look at them as second class citizens.”
He then pointed out the long term solution to the war on drugs by stating that we have to realise the problems people face in our society and help them. “People must realise that drug abuse is not the solution to the problem they are facing. Through various educational campaigns and investment in various services, we have to get this message across.”
The Malta Independent then asked Falzon whether the statistics presented in this report are worrying considering the recent legalisation of recreational cannabis.
Falzon stated that “the main aim of the legislation is to reduce the criminality of minor drug offences. In no way shape or form is the legislation encouraging people to start making use of this drug but rather it should serve as a platform of education in order to inform people about such things.”