Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, Prof. Arnold Cassola, said: “We are glad to see that after following in Alternattiva Demokratika’s footsteps as regards first the issue of divorce and then the issue of Civil Unions, now the Prime Minister has also convinced himself that AD’s proposal on decriminalisation of drugs for personal use is a valid one too.  Kudos to the Prime Minister, but how is he going to reconcile his stand on this issue with his star candidate’s, Alfred Sant, who is adamant against the decriminalisation for personal use”?

AD Spokesperson for Social Policy Robert Callus said: “At long last the government is realizing what harm the war on drug users is doing to our society and intends to do something about it.  However, unlike Prime Minister Muscat, AD suggests that it is not only first time offenders who should not be treated as criminals for simple possession for personal use. Will people still get arrested until it’s established whether they’re first time offenders?  And what about the second offence of people who’s only “crime” is simple possession for personal use? While such a move by government is commendable, it is equally important that the devil in the detail of the law doesn’t make it ineffective.”