Twenty-three individuals have successfully completed the Caritas Malta drug rehabilitation programme. The ceremony took place yesterday evening at the San Blas Therapeutic Centre in Żebbuġ, coinciding with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

This year's theme, "I Love You", was chosen in memory of the late Monsignor Victor Grech, founder of Caritas Malta. The phrase was his heartfelt way of welcoming every person who sought help from Caritas.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna addressed the graduates, thanking them for being a powerful sign of hope and courage in society. He quoted Pope Leo XIV, who earlier this week described drugs as an "invisible prison."

The Archbishop also paid tribute to Monsignor Grech, who passed away earlier this year, recalling the values he left behind. "To truly find freedom," the Archbishop said, "we must all work together to live out the beautiful word 'I love you'-a word Monsignor Grech etched into each of our hearts."

He continued, "We must be the ones who turn the word 'I love you' into real action. Let us each, according to our responsibilities and roles, become a true source of love for one another."

Archbishop Scicluna made a clear appeal for people to neither buy nor use drugs, emphasizing, "Drugs are not meant for human consumption-but love is. We truly wish the best for our young people, who are the backbone of our country."

He called for maturity and hearts filled with compassion: "Let us grow with hearts of gold-hearts that break at others' suffering but overflow with joy when our brothers and sisters are freed from the prison of addiction."

Finally, the Archbishop expressed his gratitude to Caritas Director Anthony Gatt and to all staff and volunteers who contribute to Caritas Malta's mission. He also thanked the Maltese state for its continued support of the organization.