Despite minor reservations, the Nationalist Party would still vote in favour of the proposed drug reform, deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami told Times of Malta yesterday.

The proposed reform is in the final stages of a parliamentary debate.

The Opposition had previously raised concerns over the proposed law. Among other things, the PN felt the review implied that drugs would no longer be illegal, something it was not prepared to sign up for.

However, Dr Fenech Adami said the PN was now “on board” with the reform, since the government had “departed” from the position adopted in its original White Paper and incorporated a number of suggestions made by the Opposition.

None of the technical issues with which the PN still disagreed were deal breakers, meaning the Bill would likely be passed before the new year.

The proposed reform will do away with criminal proceedings for first-time drug users found in simple possession (not more than two grams or two pills). Repeat offenders, on the other hand, will appear before a special board and only end up in court if rehabilitation conditions are not adhered to.

The PN had objected to the model, saying repeat offenders should face immediate criminal proceedings.

The reform is proposing that first-time offenders found in simple possession will be slapped with a fine of between €75 and €125, regardless of drug purity.

Repeat offenders who refuse to appear before a special social board or do not adhere to the conditions imposed will be fined between €100 and €500 or possibly even face a three-month prison term.

Dr Fenech Adami said the PN felt the model offered enough of a deterrent to users. The law also makes a distinction between cannabis and other drugs, something the PN had also objected to.

The White Paper had initially proposed that cannabis smokers would be downgraded in the eyes of the law, with users facing a traffic-style tribunal.

Dr Fenech Adami said he no longer had any issues with the cannabis proposals because it had been specified that first-time cannabis offenders would still be fined.

“We are not telling people that it is OK to smoke cannabis. If you do and are caught, the police are obliged to fine you. The message that the law is sending is that it is not OK to be in possession of drugs,” he said.

The Opposition, however, still has reservations on some issues in the proposed law. Among them is the absence of appropriate rehabilitation requirements for first-time offenders. Dr Fenech Adami argues that, while such offenders might not all require social and rehabilitative services, it was “narrow” to believe that some may not.

“The way the law is worded, there is no need for first-time users to receive any help. Some might not need it, others may be long-term, heavy, habitual users who should not have to wait for a second offence to get help,” he said.

Dr Fenech Adami also raised concerns over the social board that will process repeat offenders.

The board will be headed by a former judge or long-serving lawyer. Dr Fenech Adami insisted that the criteria for the members should be outlined to ensure they had the necessary expertise to decide on such cases.

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