Editorial

Surveys are no Bible. Their results have to be interpreted judiciously. They are akin to building blocks. One alone has little value; taken with others its value can be great.

This applies to the results just published of an EU survey about the perceptions of 15-24-year-olds concerning access to drugs and their health risks. Worryingly enough, relative to most other EU countries, access was seen to be easy and the risks low. And reading the results together with other drug-related indicators makes for disquieting reading. In another recent survey, 15-18-year-olds tended to view drugs as being the most urgent priority for the authorities to tackle, while earlier this year, the chairman of the National Commission on the Abuse of Alcohol, Drugs and Other Dependencies declared, on the basis of hard figures, that more youngsters now appear to be abusing drugs.

In the latest survey, two results may be highlighted in particular: one is chilling and the other comforting.

According to the perception of one third of our youth, it is not difficult to get one's hands on hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin while nearly half say the same for ecstasy and cannabis.

It could, perhaps, be questioned how far such a perception tallies with reality. Certainly, however, youths being a primary "market" for drug pushers, their impression of the situation needs to be taken seriously. This result, therefore, is an indictment of the whole of society. Since supply and demand move forward together, easy access to supply indicates an unhealthy demand for drugs. Increasing drug taking is a symptom of a sick society, of growing decadence and weakening moral fibre.

Information campaigns about the negative effects of drugs do help but they are not the ultimate solution. The path towards a real solution lies in the re-discovery of those values that enhance the dignity of each one of us and the creation of an environment of solidarity, where all individuals feel they are respected and cared for. Cared for enough to be guided to pursue healthy leisure activities and assisted in finding a fulfilling purpose in life that rules out the need to indulge in substance abuse. Those responsible for the upkeep of law and order also have to ask themselves: are they doing enough to combat this scourge? Are they really leaving no stone unturned in their fight against drug traffickers?

The silver lining in the report shows the Maltese to have most faith in the treatment and rehabilitation of drug users. Besides, a high percentage of Maltese seek advice from specialised drug counsellors or centres as well as parents and relatives, and our young people seek advice from friends to a lesser extent than their European counterparts. This shows that the work of the rehabilitation services operated by the government and the Church is effective and is appreciated. It also shows that family ties are quite strong since young people prefer the advice of parents and relatives to the advice of friends. These two aspects - rehabilitation centres and the family - are invaluable aids in the fight against drugs.

Another important finding was that one third of our young people still think alcohol and tobacco are low risk. The message is clearly not reaching them. As long as the general attitude of benevolence towards these drugs remains, the strategy of the war on drugs will be considerably weakened. Meanwhile, we anxiously wait to learn, in time, whether the new National Drugs Policy has conquer any ground.