Decriminalise and classify

Regarding the much needed reform in Malta’s legislation and policy on drugs, both the Nationalist and Labour parties choose the usual populism (what sells easily). In this case it means changing nothing.

For this reason, I will not resort to academic studies that support the changes towards the decriminalisation and classification of drugs Alternattiva Demokratika is proposing but simple arguments. These are mainly based on Portugal’s successful reforms of 2001.

Decriminalisation (for personal use If you find that a friend or a relative is using drugs would you call a drug treatment agency or the police?

The most significant change in Portugal’s 2001 reforms was that if the police apprehended a person in possession of drugs that does not indicate it was intended for trafficking they would refer him to a drug treatment agency rather than arrest him and open a criminal case against him.

Classification: Drugs are harmful but some are more harmful than others. Many times the latter also yield higher profits.

In countries like Malta, where being caught trafficking cannabis or cocaine is punishable with similar sentencing, the underlying message to traffickers is: Go for the hard drugs, you’ll make more money for taking the same risk. In fact, this is probably one of the major reasons for the massive influx of hard drugs in Malta, most notably the highly addictive and dangerous cocaine. Traffickers of soft drugs will not go unpunished but the law will start considering the difference, because a difference there is.

Drug reform is a complex study and must involve much more research and depth than these simple arguments. But if both parties intend to talk simplistic, fair enough. Let’s talk simplistic.