Drug Situation in Malta Discussed at MCESD in an Effort to Address Trends.
In a meeting of the MCESD Council, held at the request of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA), the current drug situation in Malta was brought to the fore for discussion and detailed consideration.
The meeting featured detailed presentations by a number of experts and professionals from various sectors. The meeting included the participation of the Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights, the Hon. Michael Falzon; the Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality, the Hon. Rebecca Buttigieg; and the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue, the Hon. Andy Ellul.
Perit David Xuereb, Chairperson of the MCESD, opened the session by emphasising the importance of a holistic and coordinated response to the issue. “This is a subject that touches multiple levels of society. Social policy, healthcare, education, and law enforcement must work together in a more effective and sustainable way if we are to reverse trends that worry us all,” he stated.
Technical presentations were delivered by a range of sectoral experts, including Mr Manuel Gellel, Senior Manager at the Ministry for Social Justice; Dr Anna Maria Vella, Clinical Chairperson at Sedqa; Mr Anthony Gatt, Director of Caritas Malta; Dr Jeffrey Bonnici, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Mater Dei Hospital; Prof. Anton Grech, Chairperson of Mental Health Services; Dr Godwin Sammut, Scientific Officer at the University of Malta; Dr Joey Reno Vella, Executive Chairperson of the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis; and Mr Angelo Gafà, Commissioner of Police.
During the meeting, the Social Partners and invited experts alike expressed strong appreciation for the fact that stakeholders from across sectors, ranging from rehabilitation and healthcare to education and law enforcement, were brought together for this meeting. They described it as an exemplary model of how such national cross-cutting issues should be addressed through social dialogue.
As representatives of employers and employees, Social Partners shared their on-the-ground experiences from the world of work, highlighting how drug-related issues are increasingly surfacing in various professional contexts. They underlined the urgent need for stronger law enforcement and multi-level interventions to address the evolving social and economic impact.
The meeting served as an important milestone in strengthening social dialogue and shaping inclusive, long-term solutions to address, manage, reduce and counter the negative effects of drug abuse in Malta. It underscored the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in working toward a healthier, safer, and more resilient society.
The meeting will be followed with tangible recommendations on next steps for consideration by Government and its respective agencies.
Access the presentations here.
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