New law on drug abuse comes into force today

The Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government said that victims of drug abuse deserve nothing other than help and support to overcome their horrible addiction.

“The Government had decided to tackle this issue right on the offset of its legislature by opening a far-reaching consultation process where it listened to the opinions of many people from different circumstances. These people included current victims of the addiction as well as those who had managed to overcome the addiction as well as lawyers and social workers among many others,” a Ministry statement explained.

It added that the consultation process had revealed that the general sentiment was that of a need for reform to ensure that victims of drug abuse were given the necessary help and support rather than putting them into more trouble.

“The need to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking was also pointed out,” the statement reads.

The ministry explained that the different viewpoints were duly analysed by the government and that they were the basis of a draft law that was unanimously accepted by Parliament and would subsequently come into force today, 15 April.

“Victims who are being shattered by their drug addiction will be given the necessary aid to get back on their feet, but the iron fist will continue to strike when it comes to drug lords,” the statement continues.

It added that the reform has given power to those who truly understand and experience social realities:

“The Justice Commissioner, who will be hearing these cases is a leading figure in the authority concerned with the cure and rehabilitation of drug addicts. This is different from the usual trend of entrusting lawyers irrespective of their expertise,” it said adding that social worker Vicky Scicluna would also be entrusted to stress the importance of cure and rehabilitation.

“The board in charge of giving advice to victims and courts will also be made up of social workers and experts in the field, and it will be run by respected human rights authority, Judge Giovanni Bonello.”

The ministry pointed out that the next step is the continuation of efforts to fight drug lords through a collaboration with private sector for the launch of an Asset Recovery Bureau. The bureau will be tasked with finding these individuals and bringing them to justice.