The government is considering the setting up of a Drugs Court and will also be carrying out a nation-wide survey about substance abuse by people aged 18 to 65.

Social Solidarity Minister Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca told a press conference this morning that the survey, which would be held in conjunction with the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Substance Abuse, would focus on the abuse of old and more recent illegal substances. 

Speaking at a press conference to mark the International Day against drug abuse, Ms Coleiro Preca said the government would also be looking into the possibility of having a court to deal exclusively with drug cases.

She quoted 2011 statistics by the European monitoring centre which showed that the use of cocaine in schoolchildren in Malta was 4% which was close to the 5% maximum rate in the EU.

Ecstasy use among Maltese schoolchildren was 3% compared to the EU's maximum rate of 4%. Such figures, she said, were unacceptable.

These statistics and local statistics showed the need for a stronger and more focused strategy to prevent drug-taking, and closer collaboration was needed between NGOs and government agencies.

Marlene Clark, chairperson of the National Commission on Abuse of Alcohol, Drugs and Other Substances, said the national survey would have a sample size of 3,000 people. Face to face interviews would start in the middle of September and should be completed by mid-December.

The survey would also include a section on gambling and would help cover the gaps in local research.