Drug-related emergencies on the rise with 516 in 2020 in Malta

Jan 26 2022

The latest Annual Drug Report revealed that in 2020, there were 516 drug related emergencies. Cocaine and cannabis were the main drugs leading individuals to see medical assistance due to intoxication. 273 of these cases were cocaine induced, 136 cannabis related, 58 cases related to heroin and 49 related to Cannabinoid Receptors Agonists (SCRA).

Family Minister Michael Falzon said during the report’s launch in Valletta that the public must not look at drug addiction as something of the past as it was still very much present in the community. The report found that despite the prevalence of heroin use having declined in recent years, the use of these substances remained linked to the most severe health and social consequences among drug-using populations.

An estimated 896 high-risk opioid users were reported in 2020, meaning 2.60 per 1,000 people aged between 15 and 64. Figures declined since 2015, registering the highest daily opiate users at 1,708 down to 896. The number of service users entering drug treatment services for the first time in 2020 was also a record at 497 individuals. The report also found there have been a total of 1,762 individuals seeking treatment for the first time in the last five years.

Cocaine is the second most common, primary drug among those in treatment. 601, or 30% of individuals in treatment, reported cocaine as the drug that created the most problems for them. Cannabis also continued to be the second most used primary drug among the overall population seeking treatment for the first time. In 2020, 269 individuals (14%) sought treatment due to cannabis. 2020 also saw a decrease in overall drug seizures, possibly due to the pandemic. The number of drug law offences for 2020 amounted to 283 in total, with 166 for possession and 117 for trafficking.

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‘Disappointed that music and sport will be suffering the injustice’ – MFA and artists state

Jan 26 2022

Following the announcement that mandatory vaccine certificate rules will be scrapped next month, artists, sports persons and even wedding planners issued their disappointment at being left out.

The Malta Football Association expressed its disagreeing take with the health authorities as the exemptions were announced yesterday. Football supporters will have to present a valid COVID vaccine certificate, leading to a ‘bittersweet moment for Maltese sport’.

‘This is another slap in the face for sports associations, athletes, coaches, match officials, volunteers, fans and all those involved in local sport as our unstinting efforts to deal with the ongoing difficulties and financial repercussions caused by COVID-19 are being constantly hindered by incoherent measures.’

Singer songwriter Ira Losco took to social media, saying she is ‘very disappointed that music and sport as always will be suffering the injustice of not having equal measures as some other sectors.’

‘I would like to ask why? The reason and logic (or lack of) behind it will always baffle me’ said the singer. This was echoed by wedding planners, as a second petition was launched in response to the newly announced restrictions.

‘There should be more options to have a standing wedding with PCR tests for the unvaccinated if need be, however the regulations need to change!! They have kept the regulations the same for way too long now! We have a right to celebrate the wedding as we all initially planned and wanted it!’

Yesterday, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced that most establishments will not need a vaccine certificate as of February. Restaurants, snack bars and band clubs will not need the certificate as of 7th February. The same would apply for bars, gyms and pools as of the 14th.

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Worker who lost finger in workplace accident compensated €81,000

Jan 26 2022

A Maltese worker who lost a finger in a workplace accident has been compensated a whopping €81,000.

With the judgement issued earlier today by Judge Lawrence Mintoff, he decreed that the company was 85% responsible for the incident.

The accident goes back to the 16th of April 2015, with the court case itself having started back in April 2018. Plaintiff Lawrence Camilleri was injured whilst working on site, losing a finger in the process.

The court today, 26th January 2022, ruled that the company must pay adequate compensation to Camilleri, calculated according to his salary and extent of injuries. Charlene Grima and Carina Nagiah represented Camilleri as his lawyers.

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Photo Source: Kamra tal-Periti

New research reveals why we’re having less sex than ever

Jan 26 2022

Apparently, people are not having as much sex as they used to, with several studies attempting to nail down exactly why this is. Is it social media overuse? Or are we just not bothered?According to the UK’s National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (NATSAL), people are having less sex every week. Back in 1991, it was an average of five times per month but in 2001, it dropped to four and down to three by 2012.

Academic director for NATSAL at University College London Soazig Clifton said that Brits are definitely having less sex. However, this seems to be an international trend as other studies are suggesting the same. The US confirmed the decline in sexual activity, with the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behaviour comparing more than 8500 individual’s responses from 2009 and 2018.

The proportion of adolescents reporting no sexual activity during this period rose from 28.8% to 44.2% among young men and from 49.% to 74% among young women. Despite this not easily answering ‘why’ this is the case, some reasons can be drawn out. Some researchers are suggesting that people are spending much more time virtually rather than having sex with the person next to them.

Some theorise that we’re just busier than ever – whether is social lives, poorer work-life balance or juggling social media commitments, people are just too tired to have sex. Others suggest that sex becoming less taboo in everyday conversation may have also balanced out statistics. People may be more prone to telling researchers they’re not having sex, meaning a more understanding society about sex has developed.

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