The Maltese Association of Psychiatry (MAP), Caritas, the OASI Foundation and doctors working in drug addiction reacted to the news that a survey is being considered where urine drug tests would be carried out in school-aged children.
The organisations highlighted the complicated ethics of testing for drug use in children randomly as well as the need for such research in view of the fact that Malta already has prevalence data available on substance use through a nationwide study.
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,
Specialist in Psychiatry
Vice President of MAP
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