The National Advisory Board on Drug Addiction has published the annual report on drug use, monitoring as well as actions that can serve as help and guidance to victims of addiction of the drug.
The detailed work of the report focuses on the year 2022. Among others it turned out that 140 people were brought to Court in connection with drug trafficking, while several others were brought before the tribunal after the drugs that were found on them it was for personal use.
Minister Michael Falzon said that our country is continuing to adopt a system that emphasizes treatment against addiction rather than taking criminal steps against those caught in possession of drugs for personal use. “The country offers good, long-term and free services to victims of drug abuse,” stressed Minister Michael Falzon.
Manuel Gellel, who is the coordinator of this Board, spoke about several results that came out of this report, where among others it was found that 1,927 people sought help in relation to drug abuse, with these figures remain constant with the previous five years.
Half of the new cases during the year in question were due to addiction to the drug cocaine. The biggest problem related to this drug is the use of what is known as crack cocaine, which is the most addictive that causes long-term problems.
Mid-Detox also distributed 76,000 syringes, most of which are used for injecting heroin. A much lower number compared to ten years before when in 2012 500,000 syringes were distributed. Meanwhile, around 900 people sought help for heroin during the year 2022.
