A delegation from Alternattiva Demokratika met today with the Commission for Law Reform, led by Judge Giovanni Bonello, to present its proposals on decriminalisation of drugs for personal use.

AD Chairperson, Prof. Arnold Cassola, said, “The state is not making a clear distinction between the victims of drug abuse and the kingpins who are exploiting thousands of people in our country. We should highlight this distinction by helping out the victims and decriminalising drugs for personal use.

“On the other hand, the state must be merciless with the drug barons. The mafia style killings of the past year show that scores of millions of euros are involved. In such a small territory as ours it should not be difficult for the authorities to follow the money, identify suspicious life styles and act forcefully with the traffickers.”

Robert Callus, AD spokesperson on Social Policy said, “We need to move away from what’s been proven to be a failure, that is the criminalization of drug users, towards what works. What works is using those resources that are being wasted in prosecuting these people for prevention, treatment and harm reduction instead.

“We should stop telling drug addicts that they’re on the wrong side of the law and reach out a helping hand. As the Portuguese model has shown us, a substantial amount of these will actually accept the assistance and people who would have otherwise been lost in resentment towards a society that dubs them as criminals are now working to improve their situation, Callus concluded.”

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