10 years ago - The Times
Tuesday, March 27, 2009
Youths on cannabis double in eight years
The number of students aged 15 and 16 dabbling in cannabis has practically doubled over eight years even though Maltese teenagers’ use of the substance remained below the European average, a report has shown.
Although 13 per cent of students used cannabis in 2007, when compared to seven per cent in 1999, Malta remained under the European average of 19 per cent, according to the latest European School Survey Projection Alcohol and Other Drugs (Espad).
The 2007 survey looked into trends and gave a comprehensive picture of licit and illicit drug use among adolescents in 35 European countries. Local research for the most recent survey, launched yesterday, was carried out between January and March 2007 and involved 3,500 students. Sedqa clinical director George Grech said the survey showed an increased use of stimulants, like cocaine, among students.
Results for Malta showed the use of inhalants, such as glues, were almost double the total country average with 16 per cent of teenagers admitting to having tried them when compared to the nine per cent European average.
Dr Grech said the use of inhalants had always worried people in the profession because they did not come into contact with youngsters who inhaled these damaging substances.
25 years ago - The Sunday Times
Sunday, March 27, 1994
Diver dead, two missing off Qawra
Sandro Caruana, a 26-year-old doctor from Sliema, died tragically while diving off Qawra point yesterday afternoon.
Another two divers, Dr Franklin Polidano of Msida and Drydocks worker Michael Camilleri of Sliema are still missing.
The three divers, aged between 20 and 30, went diving with another two off Ta’ Fra Ben at around 3.30pm carrying 1.5 litre cylinders.
But the three never surfaced and the other two drivers, Julian Muscat and Warren Scicluna, reported the case to the police at around 5pm.
Members of the police rescue team, the Armed Forces and the St John Ambulance Brigade started a search which took them 300 metres out from shore and in waters 35 metres deep. Dr Caruana’s corpse surfaced at around 5.20pm and his body was identified at 7.10pm.
Malta may be in EU by 1996 – Klepsch
Membership negotiations between Malta and the European Union should not take long to complete, the president of the European Parliament, Dr Egon Klepsch, said yesterday.
Half a century ago - Times of Malta
Thursday, March 27, 1969
Attempted murder charge following bribery allegations
Magistrate Dr C. Schembri yesterday concluded the compilation of evidence in the case against Victor Vella, 31, of Msida.
Vella stood charged with the attempted murder of Carmel Attard and with having been in possession of a cutting instrument with which he caused a grievous bodily wound on Attard. He was also charged with having disturbed public peace and order.
It was stated in evidence that on Sunday, March 16, at about 3pm, Carmel Attard met Vella at the Stadium.
They started arguing about the truth or otherwise of Vella’s allegations that Attard had been trying to bribe certain Msida football players.
In the course of the argument Vella moved a little further away to talk to Leone Ciantar. Attard followed him and continued arguing.
The argument developed into a fight during which it was further stated, Vella hit Attard on the left side of his body where Attard felt the pain. He was taken to hospital with blood coming from a wound in his side.
During the fight they were surrounded by several persons but Attard did not notice any weapon in anybody’s hands.