Valletta is "just as bad" as Paceville when it comes to attracting youths to alcohol, violence and substance abuse, students believe.
A group of some 50 young people from six state schools, today met with Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela and Education Minister Evarist Bartolo to discuss youth nightlife on the island.
Several of the students described Valletta as a destination which "rivals" Paceville when it comes to attracting youths on the weekend and said it needed to be better regulated.
I've seen all the stuff you'd see in Paceville in Valletta
One 15-year-old student said she went there with her friends nearly every weekend and often saw fights break out among the large groups of youths which walk the streets.
"I've seen all the stuff you'd see in Paceville in Valletta. I've even seen people taking Drugs in a popular outlet's bathrooms," she said.
Another student called for alternative destinations to nightclubs in Paceville
and walking around in Valletta.
"I don't know where to go, I honestly don't," the student said.
Nearly all the youths, some of whom were as young as 14, agreed that getting into Paceville nightclubs was "easy" as the majority of establishments did not ask for ID cards on entry. Once inside nightclubs, alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and even narcotics were all on offer," another underage youth said.
Many students, who said could not go to Paceville because it was too expensive, asked why there were no affordable alternatives.
"My mother is a single mother and we don't have much money. What are we going to do on the weekend? Go to the cinema, pop corn is €3, nachos €4. I needed some water and even that was €2. It's too expensive," one youth said prompting a round of applause.
Fighting has become our entertainment instead of watching a film...
Many students also said there was a growing problem of youths going out simply to fight.
"It's become the norm. Fighting has become our entertainment instead of watching a film at the cinema, this is our cinema," one 15-year-old girl said.
Mr Abela said it was clear that the public consultation on Paceville had shown the urge to improve safety in St Julian's and even Valletta.
"I am shocked that children as young as 9 are going out specifically to fight on the weekend," he said.