A refrigeration van crashed into scaffolding earlier today at around 0920hrs without a driver in Old Theatre Street in Valletta.
Police communication confirmed to this platform that two men were hospitalised due to the runaway truck. One was a 75-year-old pedestrian resident of Valletta and another a 78-year-old pedestrian resident of Floriana.
Their condition is currently unknown as police are still investigating.
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Among the actions being undertaken and as revealed in the National Drug Policy, the introduction of a new law on random drug testing for all drivers of all vehicles with a zero tolerance approach for all illicit drugs was proposed.
This comes with further revelations on drug abuse in the Maltese islands, with the aim of the new drug policy being to reduce the use of drugs and their resultant harms by all.
The policy aims to especially reduce them amongst those most at risk such as youth women, older adults, prisoners and children who face greater stigma as a result of their drug use.
The policy also wants to ensure law enforcement authorities are provided with access to information to enable them to carry out effective financial investigations.
Here are some other proposed actions:
In order to reduce supply, the following proposals, among others, were made:
Read full report here.
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According to the newly released National Drug Policy, research shows that of 850 inmates hosted by the Correctional Service Agency, 40% were held for drug related offences and 70% sentenced by the courts for drug related offences.
The CSA is responsible for the operations of the only prison in Malta. With 40% held for drug related offences, 30% of these were held under arrest pending trial.
Recidivism (reoffending) when it comes to rehabilitation seemed to be around 75% for all, but that related to drug use, heroin use, such individuals were more likely to re-offend.
‘Between September 2015 and December 2020, sittings by the tribunal chaired by the Commissioner of Justice, the majority of cases processed were related to possession of cannabis grass, with 1277 cases (42%). This was followed by cannabis resin, with a total of 620 cases (20%).’
‘A total of 1897 cases (62%) were, therefore, related to cannabis possession. Cocaine possession accounted for 616 cases (20%). A further 236 cases (8%) were for possession of ecstasy, while cases related to heroin possession amounted to 174 (6%).’
‘It also worthy of note that some 228 individuals were between the ages of 14 and 17 with the majority of these aged 16 and 17.’
The policy revealed that the problems that arise in this regard are addressed at the newly opened centre at Tal-Ibwar, which provides residential and day services.
Read the full report here.
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According to the newly released National Drug Policy, research has shown that cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and heroin, followed by new synthetic psychoactive substances, are the most commonly used drugs among the younger age cohort.
This is reportedly the case the world over, with psychotropic medication, such as tranquillisers and antidepressants, being the most widely misused prescription drugs in the age cohort of 35 and over.
Many more males than females use drugs while this is the reverse with respect to the misuse of prescription medication.
This has led the judiciary and law enforcement to focus on reducing the supply of drugs by preventing trafficking to our islands. This was coupled by work to dismantle drug crime organisations.
Over the years, drug law offences have on average been around 500 each year, with some 75% of these having been for possession. The remaining 25% were for trafficking. Here, the two main drugs were cocaine and cannabis.
Read the full report here.
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