In response to Government’s announcement for the setting up of a drugs court, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party said that it would be better to reform drug legislation and help drug victims.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said: “The setting up of a ‘drug court’ without amending laws to promote rehabilitation and help rather than criminalise victims of drug abuse can be counterproductive. Together with the President of Malta, Sedqa Director, experts in the field, and NGOs, AD is concerned that drug victims are being sent to jail. This only worsens their situation. Victims of drugs need real help and not punishment. Unfortunately both PN and PL resort to cheap populist scaremongering on the drugs issue”.

“A serious classification between soft and hard drugs is urgently needed. Present policy is only giving an incentive for traffickers to invest in hard drugs where the big money is, knowing that if caught they will receive the same punishment anyway.”

Robert Callus, ADZ – Green Youth Spokesperson said: “As a responsible party, we are the only party calling for decriminalisation of drugs for personal use. Victims of personal drug abuse should be dealt with administratively and by health and rehabilitation professionals rather than by the criminal courts. Rather than wasting resources by putting drug users in prison, it would be better to ease pressure off courts and police and on the crowded prison system, and free up resources to fight violent and dangerous crime”.