The Auditor General has identified two major gaps in the services provided to Malta’s problem drug users, expressing concern about the limited help available for minors and those looking for a job.

In a performance audit report on the way problem drug use is tackled by national and voluntary agencies, the AG said the absence of services tailored to minors was highlighted by the various stakeholders involved in the audit.

They “unanimously put forward and supported the need for specialised services addressing this subgroup of problem drug users”.

The National Audit Office found that standards of services were generally perceived as positive by the clients.

However, another lacuna was in arrangements aimed at helping former drug users reintegrate into society by finding a job.

The NAO found that over half of the former drug users registered with a special unit of the Employment and Training Corporation were never in employment between 2007 and 2012.

Attendance at job training was poor, with those registered as Former Substance Abusers with the ETC either failing to attend the training they were enlisted for or never having been provided with a training opportunity.