PN leader says sending drug users to prison is “counterproductive”

Report by Tim Diacono

PN leader Simon Busuttil today said that incarceration was no solution to addressing the problems related to drug use and urged government to use its resources more effectively in the recovery process.

“Sending drug-users to jail is counter-productive, both because drugs are often readily-available in jail and because of the stigma attached to people who get sent to jail,” opposition leader Simon Busuttil said.

The PN leader was speaking during a seminar organised by the PN’s youth section following the publication of the White Paper on drug decriminalisation.

“I am pleased that our society is reflecting on how the drug problem should be addressed and I’m also pleased at the high level of solidarity being shown with the actual victims, the drug users,” he said.

While stressing that the State should use its “very limited resources” more effectively to help drug users and their families recover from their problems, Busuttil said “however, the State should not play Big Brother and try and force people not to harm themselves. Instead, it should work together with NGOs and the drug abusers’ families to ensure that these victims are given the most effective tools to counter their vices.” 

He also said that the State should introduce ‘harsher penalties’ for drug traffickers.

In an earlier discussion, justice minister Owen Bonnici spoke of the White Paper that is currently at a consultation process.

“This White Paper is by no means an indication that marijuana is a ‘better’ drug than others,” Bonnici said, adding that “all drugs are bad.”

While pointing out that harsher penalties should be introduced for drug dealers, Bonnici said “however, drug users shouldn’t be treated as criminals but as victims who need help.”

Bonnici explained that the 13-page White Paper proposes that drug users caught for the first time will be placed on a conditional discharge. Those caught for a second time will be placed in front of a board of social experts who will try and help them recover from their problems. If they are caught for a third time, it will count as a new crime.

In his speech, the minister did not exclude the possibility of having a separate building adjacent to the courts in Valletta to operate as a drug court.

Alternattiva Demokrattika spokesperson Carmel Cacopardo said that the central issue of this White Paper is that abusers are being reframed as victims and not criminals.

“Portugal decriminalised marijuana around 13 years ago. Since then, it has witnessed a substantial decrease in drug usage amongt youths and of drug-related illnesses, including HIV. Decriminalisation bridged the gap between the victims and the experts who could help them out,” he said.

The consultation process comes top a close on 15 September.