Drug users should be seen as victims because they are people who need help and not criminals, both political parties said this morning.

Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said the proposed law on drug reform, which is up for public consultation, would help because first time users would not be sent to prison but would appear before a board.

He referred to a former drug user who, during the debate, said he had been jailed eight years after he had reformed. “What did society get out of sending him to prison?” Dr Bonnici pointed out.

The debate was organised by the Nationalist Party’s youth section, MŻPN, who held consultation meetings on the proposed reform with stakeholders such as Caritas and Legalise It in the past weeks.

Similarly, Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil said help had to be provided to ensure that those who never took drugs did not touch them, while those who repeatedly fell into the habit were helped whenever needed.

The Nationalist Party believed that research was needed to clearly understand the reason behind people taking drugs. This would then lead to the State and society addressing these reasons.

Dr Busuttil also said the government had to give a clear signal that it was against drug trafficking and the limited resources available should be used effectively.