Vice squad chief Dennis Theuma believes that even a single joint can lead youngsters down the path of drug addiction.

Superintendent Theuma is happy to leave the debate about whether soft drugs should be legalised to politicians, but warns that all drugs are dangerous.

“I will not go into the legalisation issue. I am a police officer therefore I go by what the law says. Maltese laws say cannabis possession is illegal, so it is up to the legislators to decide.

“Everyone knows the effects of drugs. There are many horrible side effects for all drugs, including cannabis. It can lead to schizophrenia. So why should I say yes, it should be legalised? Let us be honest, all drugs are harmful.

“I have arrested hundreds of people during my almost 12 years with the drugs squad. I know people who have started on cannabis resin and moved on to heroin. I know the effects of drugs. Tell me, what is positive about drug abuse? All I see is misery, the misery of the drug victims and the misery of their families.”

Last year, the government passed a drug rehabilitation law which allows first-time offenders caught with small quantities of drugs to be given a second chance.

Those caught for a second time within two years will be made to appear before a drugs court. Superintendent Theuma makes it clear that any sort of drug possession is still an arrestable offence.

“Drug possession is still a criminal offence and we show it in the way we operate. Whenever we go to Paceville or parties we arrest and investigate anyone found in possession of drugs regardless of the amount they have on them.

“What has changed is that the law promotes the assistance of drug victims. The law is there for everyone to see. I want to make is clear that possession of drugs is still a criminal offence. My job is to obey the laws of the country. This new drug law simply says that in certain circumstances, people will appear before a drugs court in the case of a second offence instead of before a court of magistrates.

“The drug court is headed by Justice Commissioner Vicky Scicluna, who has worked as a drugs community officer with the government rehabilitation agency for the past 12 years.

“Basically, Ms Scicluna’s job is to assess people brought before her to see if they can and want to be helped, as ultimately you can take a horse to water but you cannot force it to drink.

Let us be honest, all drugs are harmful

“First-time offenders receive a fine at home that you can pay without appearing before the justice commissioner. But, if there is a second offence within two years you cannot simply pay the fine. You will have to appear before the justice commissioner who will assess your situation and see what help you need.

“At the end of the day I repeat, the scope of the law is helping victims of drug abuse to rehabilitate themselves,” Superintendent Theuma says.

He explains that one of the most satisfying parts of his job is meeting reformed drug addicts. “I have arrested people on simple possession, I have arrested people on drug trafficking and I have arrested people on more serious matters.

“Am I satisfied? I am because I am doing my job in trying to keep our streets free from drugs. But what really gives me satisfaction is when I meet someone who was the victim of drug abuse and has since rehabilitated himself.

“If people break the law then everyone has to pay the price… we try to help the victims of drug abuse together with agencies like Caritas to rehabilitate people rather than merely arresting victims of drug addiction over and over again. It is not easy to overcome drug addiction, it is a life-long battle.”

Superintendent Theuma points out that Malta still has some of the harshest drug trafficking laws in the EU, which serve as a strong deterrent to drug pushers.

“The new law has not really affected us. It helps those who are really in need while letting us get on with our jobs by arresting and investigating anyone caught with drugs to be able to catch the big fish.

“Drug traffickers depend on the misery of others, which is why we make an effort to catch them.”

What it costs

• €50- €100 fine for first offenders caught with a maximum of 3.5g cannabis.

• €65- €125 fine for first time offenders caught with a maximum of two ecstasy pills or two grammes of other drugs.

• Police can still detain people for 48 hours for the above offences.