Drug laws and drug policies in the Maltese islands : perceptions amongst Maltese and Gozitan youth

Abstract

This study assesses how young people in Malta and Gozo perceive the effectiveness of the current local drug laws and policies. Moreover, it is also an attempt to explore how the Maltese and Gozitan young people, ages 18 to 30, view drug use, drug users and punishment associated with substance abuse. Whether we, as a nation, should opt for new policies including legalisation was also evaluated. A questionnaire was used as an assessment tool for this study and was sent by post to young adults all over Malta and Gozo. From the Electoral Register, October 2002, the population was equally stratified in age, gender and locality and the sample (n=1040), was then randomly chosen, yielding a response rate of 43%. Findings reveal that the mentality towards the use and abuse of illicit drugs is changing although not radically. In fact, the majority of respondents wish to see a distinction in the criminal justice response to soft and hard drugs and that drug users cease to be sentenced to prison. Much of the money and resources currently channeled towards enforcement of laws should be used for prevention and drug rehabilitation programmes. According to the respondents legalisation of drugs could be fruitful to varying extent, however respondents feel that adolescent drug abuse and criminality will increase, and consequently worsen the situation. This study forwards an analysis of key observations from the said survey and provides various recommendations to the field of drug law enforcement and policy formulation.