Zero tolerance random drug tests for vehicle drivers proposed

Mar 29 2023

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:

Make more effective the use of information provided by the Asset Recovery Offices to trace and track profits associated with drug trafficking.
Increase active co-operation between the tax, customs, and law enforcement to better detect trade-based money laundering activities to stop profits from drug trafficking furthering such or entering the legal economy.
Drug use and drug possession for personal use is illegal and will continue to be so but not punishable as a criminal offence under any form. Hence, the intention of The Drug Dependence ‘Treatment Not Imprisonment’ Act 2015 was that personal use and hence possession of small quantities of all drugs for personal use are not a criminal offence.

In order to reduce supply, the following proposals, among others, were made:

Better community policing from the police depots situated in all districts to prevent drug use and drug related crime together with the support of the community teams from the National Drug Agency.
Enhance the activities of the Police Drug Unit in the aspect of trafficking as their main objective in reducing the supply of illegal drugs.
Ensure that the postal services are better equipped to monitor and intervene when suspect packages are relayed via this service which is becoming more popular with Internet use and purchases.

Read full report here.

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70% of around 850 prison inmates sentenced for drug related offences

Mar 29 2023

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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Cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, heroin & synthetic most popular with Maltese youth

Mar 29 2023

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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Minister urges banks to stop discriminating against former inmates

Mar 29 2023

Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality Minister Byron Camilleri delivered a speech in parliament to urge banks to stop discriminating against former prison inmates wising to open up accounts after rehabilitation.

Citing an anecdote of a former prisoner who reportedly found employment after release but was turned away by a local bank despite having learned new skills and rehabilitated himself.

The Minister said that he intends to reach out the banks to ensure that former inmates are not being turned away from this right.

The discrimination, Camilleri said, makes these individuals feel as if they are limited in their options in starting a new life. ‘Is society trying to convince these people that it is not worthwhile trying to change or rehabilitate’ he asked, rhetorically.

Thus, Camilleri intends to work closer with the banks to ensure that these people are no longer victimised and get a newer chance at life.

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