Nov 03 - Government Says It Is “Fully Committed” To Addressing Drugs Issues
The Government has said that the latest statement from the GSD opposition “once again shows how they continue to make malicious and ill-informed statements to confuse the public in an attempt to denigrate work undertaken by the Government.”
A statement from Number Six yesterday evening expanded on this: “The Government can categorically state that it is fully committed to addressing the issues surrounding drug misuse, awareness and rehabilitation and will continue to address the serious concerns of those in the community who are affected by drugs misuse.
“This administration has worked untiringly since first elected in 2011 to ensure that those affected by addiction are able to access the services of rehabilitation in a swift and efficient manner and has also introduced the service in the community to include the prison.
“In addition to the work that has been undertaken since the establishment of an inter- ministerial committee on drugs in 2013 a lot of work has been undertaken in the departments and agencies concerned both individually and collectively. This committee will now be further enhanced as it will be chaired by the Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, who has already publically stated his personal interest in this matter.”
The Chief Minister said: “This administration acknowledges the drugs problem in Gibraltar and is absolutely committed to working with all relevant professionals and stakeholders to improving the services and systems in place for the betterment of our community. Substance misuse and abuse must be rejected by everyone and as a Government we will ensure that we are equipped to support both addicts and their families in obtaining the help that they need, create awareness on the dangers as part of our strategy of prevention and train and resource the departments that lead in the fight against drugs. I have again appointed Samantha Sacramento as the Minister with this constitutional responsibility as she initially laid the foundations for this strategy and I know how passionate she is about making a difference in this field”.
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