Drug reform public consultation goes online

The Ministry for Justice has launched #RasieTheBars on Facebook and on Twitter in a bid to reach out to the public and stimulate an online discussion on the White Paper proposing amendments to laws regulating drug abuse.

Under the proposed law on drug decriminalisation, drug users will no longer face a court sentence but instead appear in front of a justice commissioner and, if deemed necessary, a social board made up of experts.

An exception for cannabis users is being proposed, with the white paper recommending that cannabis users, including repeat offenders, only appear in front of the commissioner.

Focus on helping victims #RaiseTheBars

— Raise the Bars (@raisethebarsmlt) August 25, 2014

Users caught in simple possession for the first time would no longer be referred to the criminal court but to a justice commissioner who can either issue a warning and/or fine or refer the case to a board made up of social experts, police officers and retired representatives of the judiciary.
Persons caught for the second time would be automatically referred to the social board, which decides what action is necessary, including sending persons to rehabilitation programmes.

The white paper follows the recommendation by the justice reform commission, headed by retired Judge Giovanni Bonello which had proposed that simple possession should no longer be considered as a crime but rather a social problem.
The proposal has received a mixed reaction and some experts have expressed concern at the possible repercussions, including increased drug use.

The government has insisted that the emphasis should be on rehabilitation and care.

“#RaiseTheBars should facilitate the public’s discussion on the internet and pass on their own recommendations and ask questions,” the Justice Ministry said.

The two-month public consultation will end on 15 September.

The draft law should be tabled in parliament before the end of the year.