Sedqa welcomes proposed amendments to drug laws

Sedqa has welcomed the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code, especially those in relation to drug laws.

The proposed amendments will help to distinguish further between people caught in possession of drugs for personal use, and others caught trafficking drugs or having the intent to do so.

Sedqa always believed that cases of simple possession and those of trafficking should be dealt with seperately.

Through the proposed amendments first time offenders caught with drugs for personal use would be referred for help rather than have criminal proceedings instituted against them.

This, it said in a statement, was positive.

Sedqa, however, continued to emphasise the physical, psychological and social harm of drug abuse, irrespective of the drug abused, the frequency of use, and the amount involved.

It also welcomed the setting up of a Drugs Court.

The agency said that for the maximum benefit to be gained from the amendments, all entities working in the field should collaborate in a coordinated and holistic manner.