An aftercare drug rehabilitation unit will be set up to monitor and help former addicts who complete a treatment programme, according to Social Policy Minister Michael Farrugia.

Its aim was to help integrate people in society and prevent them succumbing to the habit, he told a seminar organised by Sedqa, the government’s substance abuse support agency.

Dr Farrugia noted the importance of prevention but said more attention needed to be given to the post-rehabilitation period.

There were too many cases of former addicts going back to drugs and needing to be rehabilitated once again, he added.

Trained staff in the unit would monitor ex-addicts, help them find a job or learn a skill, assist them with accommodation and keep them away from drugs.

This would mean that fewer funds would be spent on repeat rehabilitation programmes.

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