‘Decriminalisation of drugs not on our agenda’ – social policy minister

Social Policy Minister Marie Louise Coleiro Preca was candid in her statement that the decriminalisation of drugs was not on the Labour government's agenda.

The minister this morning visited the Sedqa offices in Santa Venera where she said the national agency against dependencies would be a solid partner in the development of an integrated social policy.

Coleiro Preca said the government together with stakeholders would be working on two national policies: one concentrating on drugs and the other on gambling.

Both strategies had been in the pipeline for year, with the Agency having already completed a National Strategy for Drugs in 2008 but this was never implemented.

"We will reopen consultation on the drugs policy and kick start the process for a national strategy on gambling. All stakeholders will be involved and a committee will be set up to evaluate the results of these policies," Coleiro Preca said, adding that even families of drug and gambling addicts should be part of the consultation process.

The minister said it was important for the implementation of the strategies that Agenzija Sedqa workers own the strategies, while highlighting the importance of participation by NGOs such as Caritas.

"Our successes will be measured by results. We will provide help to strengthen prevention while continuing to invest in cure," she said, highlight the importance of outreach programmes at community level.

Coleiro Preca also said it was worrying that 86% of Maltese youth aged 16 consumed alcohol, compared with the EU's average which stands at 79%.

The rate of drug consumption among 16-year-olds in Malta stands at 12%, compared to the EU average of 15%.

The minister added that together with parliamentary secretary for justice Owen Bonnici, the government was evaluating which best systems should be implemented in Malta. One of the possibilities includes a drugs court.

court and what systems could be adopted to address the individuals need.

FSWS CEO Sina Bugeja said it was important that addicts are not treated as criminals but as individuals needing help.

Questioned by the press on the affect which the opening up of two casinos would have on society, given the widespread problem of gambling, Coleiro Preca said it was important that these should operated in a regulated and legal framework.