Random tests on schoolchildren to assess the extent of their cannabis use is unethical, according to experts working with substance abusers, who believe energy and resources should instead be invested in preventing drug use.
The Maltese Association of Psychiatry (MAP), Caritas, the OASI Foundation and doctors working in drug addiction were reacting to news that a survey and random testing of schoolchildren aged 10 to 15 years was among the options considered for evidence-based analysis of illicit cannabis use.
Entrusted with reforming cannabis legislation, Parliamentary Secretary Julia Farrugia Portelli told a round-table meeting held by the National Centre for Freedom from Addiction that the intention was to establish what drugs under-15s were using and address it early.
In comments to Times of Malta, Nigel Camilleri and Aloisia Camilleri, the president and vice president of MAP, respectively, highlighted the complicated ethics of testing children randomly and pointed out not all substances could be traced by swabbing.
They also questioned the need for testing when Malta had readily available data about the prevalence and use of substances through the nationwide European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs.
Resources should be focused on educating the educators to look out for and guide children who are more at risk of falling victim to drug abuse
“Instead, resources should be focused on educating the educators to look out for and guide children who are more at risk of falling victim to drug abuse, and invest in existing services, such as positive parenting programmes and home-based treatment services,” Dr Aloisia Camilleri said.
Noting that it was much more worthwhile to invest in a culture change in the long term, her colleague reiterated that the government should therefore invest in something to improve mental and physical well-being, such as sports facilities and parks.
As opposed to the instant gratification that people derived from recreational drugs, sports helped overcome stress besides problems with obesity, heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.
Dr Nigel Camilleri insisted on the importance of a work-life balance. Busy lives that increased stress levels left very little room for physical activity, and instead, some resorted to substance abuse, he said, adding that chronic use of illicit substances, especially cannabis, could lead to ‘amotivational syndrome’.
This meant that while people kept going to work, their production was known to slow down after a number of years.
QUESTION TIME: To criminalise or legalise?
In recent years, Iceland has implemented an evidence-based approach, which grew out of collaboration between policymakers, professionals and residents, and has seen a decrease in teenage drinking, smoking and drug abuse.
The Icelandic model provides incentives for teenagers to participate in formal youth activities and nationwide media campaigns aimed at discouraging drinking and smoking and encouraging quality family time.
MAP feels that the government should not prioritise a financial interest – in the form of taxes collected from cannabis sales – at the expense of the quality of life of a nation.
The two psychiatrists spoke to the Times of Malta following a meeting with Caritas, Oasi and the addiction specialists, all of whom insist on referring to what has been dubbed ‘non-medical cannabis’ as ‘recreational cannabis’. They are also against justifying legalisation and controlled sale as a means of ‘harm reduction’.
While buying cannabis from a legal dispensary could reduce harm for existing users, it could also increase the risk of exposure for those who have never used the drug, Dr Aloisia Camilleri said.
“Not everyone who uses cannabis will resort to harder drugs, however all those on hard drugs started from cannabis.”
Dr Nigel Camilleri pointed out that MAP was in favour of the decriminalisation of cannabis for personal use, but as things stood, those caught for possession had been given mixed messages about whether they risked ending up in jail.
The association is calling for clearer guidelines that will favour rehabilitation rather than imprisonment.