Call for fast-track justice for drug offenders

Caritas director Mgr Victor Grech yesterday proposed the introduction of a rapid drugs court system to save people from being imprisoned for drug offences even though they might have kicked their habit a long time ago.

He was speaking during the graduation ceremony of 15 young people who have successfully completed the Caritas rehabilitation programme at San Blas.

Mgr Grech said because of delays in the criminal justice system, persons on a drug rehabilitation programme or who had been drug-free for as long as 15 years were being sent to prison for crimes committed years before.

A rapid drugs court system might speed up judgments, he suggested. If someone proved one had changed his life, why should one be sent to prison rather than being given an alternative punishment?

Mgr Grech also called for the introduction of an arrest referral scheme whereby if a person admitted to the police to being in possession of illegal substances, he would be referred to one of the rehabilitation agencies for treatment according to his needs.

He said that the need was being felt for a unit at the prison for residents showing a willingness to embark on a rehabilitation programme. Because of the country's legal system, a judge sometimes had to send drug abusers to prison even though detention was clearly not the best solution.

Mgr Grech also asked for the legal definitions of drug possession, sharing and trafficking to be clarified.

Many of these proposals, he said, had been discussed with the Social Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives. Was it not time to move from words to action?

The young people who graduated yesterday all had a job, were integrated in their family and some were preparing to get married, he said.

Last year 519 youths had sought the help of Caritas. Their primary drug was heroin, the secondary ones were cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, pills and LSD. Their average age was 19.

Mgr Grech said that in January, Caritas had launched another service in the community for people suffering from a drug problem - the Harm Reduction Shelter. This programme included a drop-in service, daily opening from 1 to 5 p.m., individual support through counselling and a shelter.

He said that for the first time, Malta had figures on drug use. The Malta Drug Situation National Report 2004 showed there were about 3,000 people using drugs.

His concern was for young people who were dependent on drugs or alcohol but did not seek help. There was therefore no information about them.