Mixed reactions to Muscat’s drug decriminalisation proposal

Respondents to an online poll carried by MaltaToday had mixed reactions to the Prime Minister’s proposal to decriminalise drugs in certain circumstances. Although details have yet to emerge on the decriminalisation proposal and what it will entail, Joseph Muscat has so far said the challenge rests in ensuring that drug barons are placed behind bars and youths rehabilitated.

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

A maltatoday.com.mt poll asked respondents whether they disagreed with any from of decriminalisation of drugs; whether they only agreed with decriminalisation for first-time offenders with small amounts; or whether they agreed with the full declassification of cannabis for people’s recreational use.

A total of 2,068, marking 35%, agreed with the full declassification of cannabis for people’s recreational use.

1,976 – 33% - said they only agreed with the decriminalisation for first-time offenders with small amounts. But almost an equal 1,875, or 32%, expressed their disagreement with any form of decriminalisation of drugs.

The decriminalisation of drugs has been described by Muscat as “the government’s next challenge”, following the introduction of civil unions and adoptions by gay couples.

Incidentally, during an April 2013 visit at the Sedqa offices in Santa Venera, former social policy minister Marie Louise Coleiro Preca candidly said that “decriminalisation of drugs was not on the government’s agenda”.

A former member of the judiciary has however argued that the planned drug reform was being based on a “false premise”. According to former judge Joseph Galea Debono, drug users are not sent to prison.

“They are given a slap on the wrist, perhaps a conditional discharge and a fine but certainly not prison. I don’t understand what all this hullaballoo is about,” Galea Debono told the Times of Malta.