Cocaine addiction is a complex problem. It involves biological changes in the brain, as well as multiple social, familial and environmental factors. Treatment of cocaine and other drug addictions imposes a substantial financial cost on sufferers and their families as well as on the public health system. More importantly, it threatens the well-being of society now and in the future.

The reported boom in cocaine use with an average fourfold increase in seizures is indeed bad news for the community. A police officer told the Times of Malta: “There is definitely a cocaine boom at the moment. We are seeing a return of the substance. It is all over the place.” Drug expert Godwin Sammut confirmed he had noted an increase in the substance in recent months.

One can speculate as to what is behind this increase in the use of cocaine. Maybe substance abuse is related to the increase of foreigners taking up residence in Malta as the economy grows at a fast rate. Another theory could be that law enforcement efforts by an overstretched police force at our borders as well as in leisure centres like Paceville are insufficient to curb the availability of cocaine and other drugs. Whatever the reason, a more effective strategy is needed to suppress drug-seeking behaviour.

There is a dearth of reliable information on substance abuse. Anecdotal evidence is useful but not sufficient to define a short- and long-term strategy to deal with this problem. It is hardly any consolation that, according to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Malta has a “very small” incidence of drug-related deaths.

Stricter enforcement of mandatory checks at the airport and yacht marinas to discourage traffickers from importing drugs will always be the first line of defence. Checks need to be more frequent, more intensive and coordinated with foreign drug crime prevention international agencies.

A second important priority is to increase resources so that better assessments are made by qualified professionals on the psychobiological, social and pharmacological aspects of a patient’s drug abuse. This approach is even more critical in school and university environments to detect drug abuse problems at an early stage.

Many psychologists argue that behavioural therapies are often the only available, effective treatment approaches to many drug problems, including cocaine addiction. The time is ripe for an increase in both residential and outpatient facilities both in our public health system as well as through voluntary organisations like Caritas that is already excelling in dealing with drug addicts.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy is another approach that needs to be intensified. This approach attempts to help patients to recognise, avoid and cope with situations in which they are most likely to use cocaine. Patients need to be encouraged to identify specific triggers and to restructure their lifestyles to avoid resorting to drug abuse.

Our society may be more affluent in material terms but it is arguably poorer in spiritual and emotional standards. The most difficult aspect of treatment and recovery from cocaine involves the guilt and intense shame felt by most users. The guilt associated with unacceptable drug-related behaviour becomes a major reason to use more cocaine.

Medical science is working incessantly to find medications that can treat cocaine addiction. Dealing with the causes of the problem will always be more effective than tackling the symptoms.

This is a Times of Malta print editorial

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.