The predominant maxim is that drugs constitute a grave threat to the health, security, and well-b... more The predominant maxim is that drugs constitute a grave threat to the health, security, and well-being of mankind. The nexus between health, security and development finds continued support and consensus across political declarations and resolutions by member states of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Nonetheless, the creation of a flourishing illicit market, increased stigma against people who use drugs (PWUD), and human rights abuses on the precept of protecting health and security, have been for over ten years documented and repeated by various voices, amongst which peer-led transnational advocacy networks (TANs). This thesis aims to look at the RIGHT TO HEALTH for PWUD and explore how discourse adopted by the International Community and civil society has been protecting or hindering this right. Through a Critical Discourse Analysis framework based on the four-stage model developed by Fairclough (2012), the qualitative research project distinguishes texts as important barometers for social change. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach this study demonstrated that tensions between dominant ideological discursive formations embedded in the provisions of the UN Drug Control Conventions (1961, 1971, 1988), as opposed provisions falling under international human rights law continue to have a direct impact on the realisation of the RIGHT TO HEALTH for PWUD. Recognising diplomatic consensus as a double-edged sword and the role of peer-led initiatives to promote human rights for PWUD, the study identifies the art of diplomacy and the art of activism as important tools to advance a human rights-based approach for PWUD.
This thesis analysis focuses on the levels of interaction in the EuroMed region. Intercultural di... more This thesis analysis focuses on the levels of interaction in the EuroMed region. Intercultural dialogue is the main frame of analysis and levels of interaction are translated from opinion poll surveys carried out in a 10 year time frame. Subsequently youths are individuated as the pivotal component for the successful spread of values: of tolerance, mutual respect and understanding. Theories of intercultural dialogue are analysed vis-à- vis opinion poll results and on-going youth programs. The argument presented in this research project rests on the notion that the intermingled relationship between education, training and employment has a direct influence on the role of misperceptions and the future peaceful transformation of the region.
For decades, and till this very day, children in Malta continue to live a dystopic reality in rel... more For decades, and till this very day, children in Malta continue to live a dystopic reality in relation to the visibility of alcohol, nicotine-based products and foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. In fact, albeit being shielded from TV adverts, and other ‘traditional’ marketing ploys adopted in previous years by the alcohol and tobacco industry [such as merchandise and gifts], children continue to be exposed to these highly addictive substances on a daily basis.
Furthermore, when looking at family friendly events taking place in Malta throughout summer, one cannot fail to notice the presence of alcoholic beverages and nicotine consumption. To mention just a few ‘family marketed activities’, one finds various wine and beer festivals, including the newfound trend of allowing children entry to festival grounds throughout the day and night.
This short paper aims to provide an overview of the current situation and proposes a number of recommendations for policy makers.
The use of mind-altering substances and plants such as cocaine, cannabis, and heroin have for the... more The use of mind-altering substances and plants such as cocaine, cannabis, and heroin have for the most part of the 20 th Century been presented within a criminalised perspective, and a language directly linking drug use with ill-health, deviant behaviour, and delinquency. The criminalisation of drug use has had consequential health and socioeconomic consequences for people who use drugs, particularly contributing to increase prison populations worldwide.
This paper identifies critical discourse analysis as a unique tool of inquiry to analyse drug policy reform, and recognises the pivotal role played by diplomatic language in entrenching the status quo or transforming hegemonic struggle into positive social change.
Cannabinoids found naturally occurring in the cannabis plant are known as phytocannabinoids. Cann... more Cannabinoids found naturally occurring in the cannabis plant are known as phytocannabinoids. Cannabinoids can also be synthesised in the laboratory and these are generally referred to either as semi-synthetic cannabinoids, synthesised from naturally occurring phytocannabinoids, or synthetic cannabinoids, also often referred to as synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists.
Maltese legislation only refers to cannabinoids, without specifying if these are phytocannabinoids (such as THC and CBD), semi-synthetic or synthetic cannabinoids. This terminology has not well-defined the distinction between naturally occurring phytocannabinoids (such as Cannabidiol - CBD), and laboratory synthesised semi- synthetic or synthetic cannabinoids (such as hexahydrocannabinol – HHC).
This paper aims to provide further clarity on the importance of using scientific means and terminology to better reflect obligations emanating from international drug control, but also reflect recent medical and technological developments linked with risks associated with cannabis use.
This paper is a joint contribution to the public consultation on the National Drug Policy for Mal... more This paper is a joint contribution to the public consultation on the National Drug Policy for Malta 2023-2033.
The UN World Drug Report 2022 estimates that in 2020, 5.6% of the global population used an illic... more The UN World Drug Report 2022 estimates that in 2020, 5.6% of the global population used an illicit substance. On the other side of the spectrum, various countries continue to enact different legislative changes to decriminalise and regulate drug use.
This paper aims to bring to the fore proposals by Van Ree (1999) and Stevens (2011) in advancing a human rights framework for drug use in society.
Drug policy developments across the world continue to challenge the predominant dogma of advancin... more Drug policy developments across the world continue to challenge the predominant dogma of advancing a 'war on drugs' approach endorsed in previous decades. By enacting legislative changes addressing the consumption and cultivation of cannabis, different regulatory models are in the year 2023 allowing the cultivation and distribution of cannabis in over five different jurisdictions and sovereign states.
The Cannabis Social Club model is predominantly a grass-roots attempt at providing people who consume cannabis with a safe source where to obtain cannabis and a place of encounter for people sharing the same interests. Based on the democratic approach to the collective cultivation and sharing of cannabis at no profit, the model provides an alternative and innovative approach to address a number of public health and social justice matters.
This paper aims to explore the nexus between the establishment of a regulatory model for the recreational use of cannabis and the role of a harm and risk reduction approach embedded within the licensing and operational framework regulating not for profit cannabis social clubs.
The right to health is primarily enshrined in the Constitution of the World Health Organisation (... more The right to health is primarily enshrined in the Constitution of the World Health Organisation (1946), the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (1966), and the European Social Charter (1996). The “citizen in uniform” approach implies that armed forces personnel, whether professional or conscripted, are entitled to the same rights and protections as all other persons, subject to certain limitations imposed by military service.
The study aims to look at the right to health of armed forces personnel and acknowledges that the military cannot be insulated from wider societal, cultural or legal developments. In conclusion, the study proposes a number of recommendations.
From silence to empowerment; Reflections on positive peace, a pedagogy of humankind and the rights of people who use drugs, 2022
Drawing knowledge from two distinct yet interrelated fields, International Relations and pedagogy... more Drawing knowledge from two distinct yet interrelated fields, International Relations and pedagogy, these reflections aim to bring to the fore the important role of social justice advocacy to address complex social phenomenon such as drug use. The core purpose is a restoration of dignity, empowerment and the realisation of a more just world.
This position paper aims to look at the nexus between (i) legislative developments in the EU regu... more This position paper aims to look at the nexus between (i) legislative developments in the EU regulating the cultivation, consumption and sale of non-medical cannabis, and (ii) Alternative Development applied to cannabis in the Southern Mediterranean region , as a market substitution strategy; moving from illicit to licit cultivation of cannabis. This proposal is built on the purposes enshrined in the UN Drug Control Conventions, provisions included under the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, and the EU Renewed Partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood: A new agenda for the Mediterranean.
In partnership with the Union for the Mediterranean and the Council of Europe’s Pompidou Group , the establishment in Malta of the Mediterranean Institute for Cannabis (MIC), tasked with creating a research and dialogue platform for Mediterranean states with a traditional history of cultivating cannabis, aims to promote a more prosperous, peaceful, and inclusive Euro-Mediterranean region. This will further enhance Malta’s diplomatic vision and long-standing efforts to promote regional cooperation and dialogue. Ultimately, this paper envisages to encourage a more just and balanced future for the newly emerging non-medical cannabis market and its traditional stakeholders, predominantly small-scale farmers in the South.
The technological, commercial and sexual revolution of the past century paved the way for an emer... more The technological, commercial and sexual revolution of the past century paved the way for an emerging youth movement that is in the 21st Century, especially in developed countries, an exciting and prolonged developmental stage presenting numerous opportunities, freedoms, but also challenges and risks that were unheard of to their parents and grandparents. The carefree life, captured in the words ‘young, wild and free’ are in part a reflection of this continued transitional feature of young people’s role and engagement in society and the postponement of more serious commitments, such as marriage, viewed as closing doors and spontaneity.
This study aims to look at characteristics that make the transitional period between adolescence and emerging adulthood special or ‘wild’, and delves into risks and opportunities predominant in this protracted developmental stage.
This paper aims to look at gender and the interplay between access to health services, substance ... more This paper aims to look at gender and the interplay between access to health services, substance use and problematic substance use. More specifically the relationship between women’s rights and visibility in health-related domains is analysed together with strong considerations for the role of policy and law enforcement in curtailing or facilitating access to preventive health and educational services linked with substance use and problematic substance use.
Keeping in view the myriad of personal motivations and digital platforms used in the virtual doma... more Keeping in view the myriad of personal motivations and digital platforms used in the virtual domains provided by the internet, this research study aims to look at the act of ‘getting online’, more specifically engaging in online gaming, as a behaviour with an ego-syntonic origin but which due to a number of variables (intra-personal, inter-personal, socio-demographic, etc) has the potential to turn into an ego-dystonic loop.
Placing human rights and public health at the helm of this mock policy framework, this joint coll... more Placing human rights and public health at the helm of this mock policy framework, this joint collaboration endeavours to be a leading game changer that paves the way for a more humane and evidence-based approach to the promotion of the health, well-being and security of Maltese society. The provisions included in this policy place human rights and public health at the helm of every decision and revolve around three pressing issues and accompanying set of actions: 1) Decriminalise the consumption, cultivation and sharing of cannabis and reduce the monopoly of the illicit cannabis market 2) Assurance of quality tested cannabis at the MIRRC and seed to consumer trail (S2C) for Cannabis Social Clubs 3) Targeted harm reduction outreach and better data collection about local trends and practices established through the creation of members only not-for-profit Cannabis Social Clubs (CSC)
To better map the processes through which drugs alter normal brain structure and function (widely... more To better map the processes through which drugs alter normal brain structure and function (widely accepted as being the primarily contributing element that promotes continued drug use and ultimately addiction), this research study aims to look at the neurobiological changes in the brain, but will also take into consideration the role of definitions, particularly the words drug and addiction, and the role of third variables (legal status of the substance, pre-morbid factors and socio-economic background of the person) as key contributors to explain the somewhat inconsistent levels between use and problematic substance use.
This paper aims to highlight how a private and personal choice, the use of a substance or engagem... more This paper aims to highlight how a private and personal choice, the use of a substance or engagement in a particular behaviour, is governed by different social, historical and political forces that not only shape how society views these people and implements responses, but is also directly influencing levels of problematic use and addiction.
Online searches about educational material on cannabis produce somewhat lacking results and when ... more Online searches about educational material on cannabis produce somewhat lacking results and when information is available it is clear that the material presented is out-dated, barely relatable to the local scene and focusing only on the clinical and negative effects of cannabis. Although the concept of harm reduction is gaining momentum within mainstream media and political quarters, the abstinence dogma of a drug free world continues to resonate louder in recent national publications and discourse propagated by key stakeholders from the political class and drug rehabilitation services.
This paper aims to analyse substance prevention programs and drug educational material in Malta with a specific focus on cannabis. By looking at case studies from Australia and Canada, grass-roots initiatives and international and regional guidelines, the study questions the effectiveness of locally available material to educate youths and adults about cannabis.
An analysis of how cannabis is being portrayed and explained by drug rehabilitation officers and ... more An analysis of how cannabis is being portrayed and explained by drug rehabilitation officers and experts working with key institutions such as Caritas, OASI and Sedqa and the effects on local understanding and discourse on cannabis.
Cannabis is one of the most widely used illicit drugs around the world. It has been used for cent... more Cannabis is one of the most widely used illicit drugs around the world. It has been used for centuries as a medicine, for religious practices and for recreational purposes. Nonetheless, cannabis and cannabis users have been greatly persecuted and incarcerated in the 20th and 21st Century.
If cannabis has been available for centuries, why was it singled out as a destructive force? Why did the international community include Cannabis within the same category of other highly addictive drugs such as heroin and cocaine?
This analysis seeks to understand the relationship between cannabis use and the gateway hypothesis, and uses ongoing debates in Malta as contextual background
The predominant maxim is that drugs constitute a grave threat to the health, security, and well-b... more The predominant maxim is that drugs constitute a grave threat to the health, security, and well-being of mankind. The nexus between health, security and development finds continued support and consensus across political declarations and resolutions by member states of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Nonetheless, the creation of a flourishing illicit market, increased stigma against people who use drugs (PWUD), and human rights abuses on the precept of protecting health and security, have been for over ten years documented and repeated by various voices, amongst which peer-led transnational advocacy networks (TANs). This thesis aims to look at the RIGHT TO HEALTH for PWUD and explore how discourse adopted by the International Community and civil society has been protecting or hindering this right. Through a Critical Discourse Analysis framework based on the four-stage model developed by Fairclough (2012), the qualitative research project distinguishes texts as important barometers for social change. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach this study demonstrated that tensions between dominant ideological discursive formations embedded in the provisions of the UN Drug Control Conventions (1961, 1971, 1988), as opposed provisions falling under international human rights law continue to have a direct impact on the realisation of the RIGHT TO HEALTH for PWUD. Recognising diplomatic consensus as a double-edged sword and the role of peer-led initiatives to promote human rights for PWUD, the study identifies the art of diplomacy and the art of activism as important tools to advance a human rights-based approach for PWUD.
This thesis analysis focuses on the levels of interaction in the EuroMed region. Intercultural di... more This thesis analysis focuses on the levels of interaction in the EuroMed region. Intercultural dialogue is the main frame of analysis and levels of interaction are translated from opinion poll surveys carried out in a 10 year time frame. Subsequently youths are individuated as the pivotal component for the successful spread of values: of tolerance, mutual respect and understanding. Theories of intercultural dialogue are analysed vis-à- vis opinion poll results and on-going youth programs. The argument presented in this research project rests on the notion that the intermingled relationship between education, training and employment has a direct influence on the role of misperceptions and the future peaceful transformation of the region.
For decades, and till this very day, children in Malta continue to live a dystopic reality in rel... more For decades, and till this very day, children in Malta continue to live a dystopic reality in relation to the visibility of alcohol, nicotine-based products and foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. In fact, albeit being shielded from TV adverts, and other ‘traditional’ marketing ploys adopted in previous years by the alcohol and tobacco industry [such as merchandise and gifts], children continue to be exposed to these highly addictive substances on a daily basis.
Furthermore, when looking at family friendly events taking place in Malta throughout summer, one cannot fail to notice the presence of alcoholic beverages and nicotine consumption. To mention just a few ‘family marketed activities’, one finds various wine and beer festivals, including the newfound trend of allowing children entry to festival grounds throughout the day and night.
This short paper aims to provide an overview of the current situation and proposes a number of recommendations for policy makers.
The use of mind-altering substances and plants such as cocaine, cannabis, and heroin have for the... more The use of mind-altering substances and plants such as cocaine, cannabis, and heroin have for the most part of the 20 th Century been presented within a criminalised perspective, and a language directly linking drug use with ill-health, deviant behaviour, and delinquency. The criminalisation of drug use has had consequential health and socioeconomic consequences for people who use drugs, particularly contributing to increase prison populations worldwide.
This paper identifies critical discourse analysis as a unique tool of inquiry to analyse drug policy reform, and recognises the pivotal role played by diplomatic language in entrenching the status quo or transforming hegemonic struggle into positive social change.
Cannabinoids found naturally occurring in the cannabis plant are known as phytocannabinoids. Cann... more Cannabinoids found naturally occurring in the cannabis plant are known as phytocannabinoids. Cannabinoids can also be synthesised in the laboratory and these are generally referred to either as semi-synthetic cannabinoids, synthesised from naturally occurring phytocannabinoids, or synthetic cannabinoids, also often referred to as synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists.
Maltese legislation only refers to cannabinoids, without specifying if these are phytocannabinoids (such as THC and CBD), semi-synthetic or synthetic cannabinoids. This terminology has not well-defined the distinction between naturally occurring phytocannabinoids (such as Cannabidiol - CBD), and laboratory synthesised semi- synthetic or synthetic cannabinoids (such as hexahydrocannabinol – HHC).
This paper aims to provide further clarity on the importance of using scientific means and terminology to better reflect obligations emanating from international drug control, but also reflect recent medical and technological developments linked with risks associated with cannabis use.
This paper is a joint contribution to the public consultation on the National Drug Policy for Mal... more This paper is a joint contribution to the public consultation on the National Drug Policy for Malta 2023-2033.
The UN World Drug Report 2022 estimates that in 2020, 5.6% of the global population used an illic... more The UN World Drug Report 2022 estimates that in 2020, 5.6% of the global population used an illicit substance. On the other side of the spectrum, various countries continue to enact different legislative changes to decriminalise and regulate drug use.
This paper aims to bring to the fore proposals by Van Ree (1999) and Stevens (2011) in advancing a human rights framework for drug use in society.
Drug policy developments across the world continue to challenge the predominant dogma of advancin... more Drug policy developments across the world continue to challenge the predominant dogma of advancing a 'war on drugs' approach endorsed in previous decades. By enacting legislative changes addressing the consumption and cultivation of cannabis, different regulatory models are in the year 2023 allowing the cultivation and distribution of cannabis in over five different jurisdictions and sovereign states.
The Cannabis Social Club model is predominantly a grass-roots attempt at providing people who consume cannabis with a safe source where to obtain cannabis and a place of encounter for people sharing the same interests. Based on the democratic approach to the collective cultivation and sharing of cannabis at no profit, the model provides an alternative and innovative approach to address a number of public health and social justice matters.
This paper aims to explore the nexus between the establishment of a regulatory model for the recreational use of cannabis and the role of a harm and risk reduction approach embedded within the licensing and operational framework regulating not for profit cannabis social clubs.
The right to health is primarily enshrined in the Constitution of the World Health Organisation (... more The right to health is primarily enshrined in the Constitution of the World Health Organisation (1946), the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (1966), and the European Social Charter (1996). The “citizen in uniform” approach implies that armed forces personnel, whether professional or conscripted, are entitled to the same rights and protections as all other persons, subject to certain limitations imposed by military service.
The study aims to look at the right to health of armed forces personnel and acknowledges that the military cannot be insulated from wider societal, cultural or legal developments. In conclusion, the study proposes a number of recommendations.
From silence to empowerment; Reflections on positive peace, a pedagogy of humankind and the rights of people who use drugs, 2022
Drawing knowledge from two distinct yet interrelated fields, International Relations and pedagogy... more Drawing knowledge from two distinct yet interrelated fields, International Relations and pedagogy, these reflections aim to bring to the fore the important role of social justice advocacy to address complex social phenomenon such as drug use. The core purpose is a restoration of dignity, empowerment and the realisation of a more just world.
This position paper aims to look at the nexus between (i) legislative developments in the EU regu... more This position paper aims to look at the nexus between (i) legislative developments in the EU regulating the cultivation, consumption and sale of non-medical cannabis, and (ii) Alternative Development applied to cannabis in the Southern Mediterranean region , as a market substitution strategy; moving from illicit to licit cultivation of cannabis. This proposal is built on the purposes enshrined in the UN Drug Control Conventions, provisions included under the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, and the EU Renewed Partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood: A new agenda for the Mediterranean.
In partnership with the Union for the Mediterranean and the Council of Europe’s Pompidou Group , the establishment in Malta of the Mediterranean Institute for Cannabis (MIC), tasked with creating a research and dialogue platform for Mediterranean states with a traditional history of cultivating cannabis, aims to promote a more prosperous, peaceful, and inclusive Euro-Mediterranean region. This will further enhance Malta’s diplomatic vision and long-standing efforts to promote regional cooperation and dialogue. Ultimately, this paper envisages to encourage a more just and balanced future for the newly emerging non-medical cannabis market and its traditional stakeholders, predominantly small-scale farmers in the South.
The technological, commercial and sexual revolution of the past century paved the way for an emer... more The technological, commercial and sexual revolution of the past century paved the way for an emerging youth movement that is in the 21st Century, especially in developed countries, an exciting and prolonged developmental stage presenting numerous opportunities, freedoms, but also challenges and risks that were unheard of to their parents and grandparents. The carefree life, captured in the words ‘young, wild and free’ are in part a reflection of this continued transitional feature of young people’s role and engagement in society and the postponement of more serious commitments, such as marriage, viewed as closing doors and spontaneity.
This study aims to look at characteristics that make the transitional period between adolescence and emerging adulthood special or ‘wild’, and delves into risks and opportunities predominant in this protracted developmental stage.
This paper aims to look at gender and the interplay between access to health services, substance ... more This paper aims to look at gender and the interplay between access to health services, substance use and problematic substance use. More specifically the relationship between women’s rights and visibility in health-related domains is analysed together with strong considerations for the role of policy and law enforcement in curtailing or facilitating access to preventive health and educational services linked with substance use and problematic substance use.
Keeping in view the myriad of personal motivations and digital platforms used in the virtual doma... more Keeping in view the myriad of personal motivations and digital platforms used in the virtual domains provided by the internet, this research study aims to look at the act of ‘getting online’, more specifically engaging in online gaming, as a behaviour with an ego-syntonic origin but which due to a number of variables (intra-personal, inter-personal, socio-demographic, etc) has the potential to turn into an ego-dystonic loop.
Placing human rights and public health at the helm of this mock policy framework, this joint coll... more Placing human rights and public health at the helm of this mock policy framework, this joint collaboration endeavours to be a leading game changer that paves the way for a more humane and evidence-based approach to the promotion of the health, well-being and security of Maltese society. The provisions included in this policy place human rights and public health at the helm of every decision and revolve around three pressing issues and accompanying set of actions: 1) Decriminalise the consumption, cultivation and sharing of cannabis and reduce the monopoly of the illicit cannabis market 2) Assurance of quality tested cannabis at the MIRRC and seed to consumer trail (S2C) for Cannabis Social Clubs 3) Targeted harm reduction outreach and better data collection about local trends and practices established through the creation of members only not-for-profit Cannabis Social Clubs (CSC)
To better map the processes through which drugs alter normal brain structure and function (widely... more To better map the processes through which drugs alter normal brain structure and function (widely accepted as being the primarily contributing element that promotes continued drug use and ultimately addiction), this research study aims to look at the neurobiological changes in the brain, but will also take into consideration the role of definitions, particularly the words drug and addiction, and the role of third variables (legal status of the substance, pre-morbid factors and socio-economic background of the person) as key contributors to explain the somewhat inconsistent levels between use and problematic substance use.
This paper aims to highlight how a private and personal choice, the use of a substance or engagem... more This paper aims to highlight how a private and personal choice, the use of a substance or engagement in a particular behaviour, is governed by different social, historical and political forces that not only shape how society views these people and implements responses, but is also directly influencing levels of problematic use and addiction.
Online searches about educational material on cannabis produce somewhat lacking results and when ... more Online searches about educational material on cannabis produce somewhat lacking results and when information is available it is clear that the material presented is out-dated, barely relatable to the local scene and focusing only on the clinical and negative effects of cannabis. Although the concept of harm reduction is gaining momentum within mainstream media and political quarters, the abstinence dogma of a drug free world continues to resonate louder in recent national publications and discourse propagated by key stakeholders from the political class and drug rehabilitation services.
This paper aims to analyse substance prevention programs and drug educational material in Malta with a specific focus on cannabis. By looking at case studies from Australia and Canada, grass-roots initiatives and international and regional guidelines, the study questions the effectiveness of locally available material to educate youths and adults about cannabis.
An analysis of how cannabis is being portrayed and explained by drug rehabilitation officers and ... more An analysis of how cannabis is being portrayed and explained by drug rehabilitation officers and experts working with key institutions such as Caritas, OASI and Sedqa and the effects on local understanding and discourse on cannabis.
Cannabis is one of the most widely used illicit drugs around the world. It has been used for cent... more Cannabis is one of the most widely used illicit drugs around the world. It has been used for centuries as a medicine, for religious practices and for recreational purposes. Nonetheless, cannabis and cannabis users have been greatly persecuted and incarcerated in the 20th and 21st Century.
If cannabis has been available for centuries, why was it singled out as a destructive force? Why did the international community include Cannabis within the same category of other highly addictive drugs such as heroin and cocaine?
This analysis seeks to understand the relationship between cannabis use and the gateway hypothesis, and uses ongoing debates in Malta as contextual background
Polydrug use, particularly the co-ingestion of alcohol is one of the main reasons why EU citizens... more Polydrug use, particularly the co-ingestion of alcohol is one of the main reasons why EU citizens seek emergency services. Data collected by the Euro-DEN Plus network is pivotal to map emergency care services related to drug use, but also potentially understand broader social and legal developments related to drug use in the EU. Together with other data sets, such as information tabled in Parliament and the National Report on the Drug Situation in Malta (2019, 2022) provide an important basis to understand why and how people are seeking emergency services.
This paper aims to shed light on acute drug emergencies in the EU and in Malta, keeping in focus the role of criminalisation acting as a direct barrier to the realisation of the right to health for people who use drugs.
INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE IN THE EURO-MEDITERRANEAN REGION: A FOCUS ON YOUTHS AS ACTIVE AGENTS FOR C... more INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE IN THE EURO-MEDITERRANEAN REGION: A FOCUS ON YOUTHS AS ACTIVE AGENTS FOR CHANGE Karen Mamo, M.S., M.A. George Mason University, University of Malta, 2012 Dissertation Director: Dr. Monika Wohlfeld This thesis analysis focuses on the levels of interaction in the EuroMed region. Intercultural dialogue is the main frame of analysis and levels of interaction are translated from opinion poll surveys carried out in a 10 year time frame. Subsequently youths are individuated as the pivotal component for the successful spread of values: of tolerance, mutual respect and understanding. Theories of intercultural dialogue are analysed vis-àvis opinion poll results and on-going youth programs. The argument presented in this research project rests on the notion that the intermingled relationship between education, training and employment has a direct influence on the role of misperceptions and the future peaceful transformation of the region.
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The argument presented in this research project rests on the notion that the intermingled relationship between education, training and employment has a direct influence on the role of misperceptions and the future peaceful transformation of the region.
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Furthermore, when looking at family friendly events taking place in Malta throughout summer, one cannot fail to notice the presence of alcoholic beverages and nicotine consumption. To mention just a few ‘family marketed activities’, one finds various wine and beer festivals, including the newfound trend of allowing children entry to festival grounds throughout the day and night.
This short paper aims to provide an overview of the current situation and proposes a number of recommendations for policy makers.
This paper identifies critical discourse analysis as a unique tool of inquiry to analyse drug policy reform, and recognises the pivotal role played by diplomatic language in entrenching the status quo or transforming hegemonic struggle into positive social change.
Maltese legislation only refers to cannabinoids, without specifying if these are phytocannabinoids (such as THC and CBD), semi-synthetic or synthetic cannabinoids. This terminology has not well-defined the distinction between naturally occurring phytocannabinoids (such as Cannabidiol - CBD), and laboratory synthesised semi- synthetic or synthetic cannabinoids (such as hexahydrocannabinol – HHC).
This paper aims to provide further clarity on the importance of using scientific means and terminology to better reflect obligations emanating from international drug control, but also reflect recent medical and technological developments linked with risks associated with cannabis use.
This paper aims to bring to the fore proposals by Van Ree (1999) and Stevens (2011) in advancing a human rights framework for drug use in society.
The Cannabis Social Club model is predominantly a grass-roots attempt at providing people who consume cannabis with a safe source where to obtain cannabis and a place of encounter for people sharing the same interests. Based on the democratic approach to the collective cultivation and sharing of cannabis at no profit, the model provides an alternative and innovative approach to address a number of public health and social justice matters.
This paper aims to explore the nexus between the establishment of a regulatory model for the recreational use of cannabis and the role of a harm and risk reduction approach embedded within the licensing and operational framework regulating not for profit cannabis social clubs.
The study aims to look at the right to health of armed forces personnel and acknowledges that the military cannot be insulated from wider societal, cultural or legal developments. In conclusion, the study proposes a number of recommendations.
In partnership with the Union for the Mediterranean and the Council of Europe’s Pompidou Group , the establishment in Malta of the Mediterranean Institute for Cannabis (MIC), tasked with creating a research and dialogue platform for Mediterranean states with a traditional history of cultivating cannabis, aims to promote a more prosperous, peaceful, and inclusive Euro-Mediterranean region. This will further enhance Malta’s diplomatic vision and long-standing efforts to promote regional cooperation and dialogue. Ultimately, this paper envisages to encourage a more just and balanced future for the newly emerging non-medical cannabis market and its traditional stakeholders, predominantly small-scale farmers in the South.
This study aims to look at characteristics that make the transitional period between adolescence and emerging adulthood special or ‘wild’, and delves into risks and opportunities predominant in this protracted developmental stage.
1) Decriminalise the consumption, cultivation and sharing of cannabis and reduce the monopoly of the illicit cannabis market
2) Assurance of quality tested cannabis at the MIRRC and seed to consumer trail (S2C) for Cannabis Social Clubs
3) Targeted harm reduction outreach and better data collection about local trends and practices established through the creation of members only not-for-profit Cannabis Social Clubs (CSC)
This paper aims to analyse substance prevention programs and drug educational material in Malta with a specific focus on cannabis. By looking at case studies from Australia and Canada, grass-roots initiatives and international and regional guidelines, the study questions the effectiveness of locally available material to educate youths and adults about cannabis.
If cannabis has been available for centuries, why was it singled out as a destructive force? Why did the international community include Cannabis within the same category of other highly addictive drugs such as heroin and cocaine?
This analysis seeks to understand the relationship between cannabis use and the gateway hypothesis, and uses ongoing debates in Malta as contextual background
The argument presented in this research project rests on the notion that the intermingled relationship between education, training and employment has a direct influence on the role of misperceptions and the future peaceful transformation of the region.
Furthermore, when looking at family friendly events taking place in Malta throughout summer, one cannot fail to notice the presence of alcoholic beverages and nicotine consumption. To mention just a few ‘family marketed activities’, one finds various wine and beer festivals, including the newfound trend of allowing children entry to festival grounds throughout the day and night.
This short paper aims to provide an overview of the current situation and proposes a number of recommendations for policy makers.
This paper identifies critical discourse analysis as a unique tool of inquiry to analyse drug policy reform, and recognises the pivotal role played by diplomatic language in entrenching the status quo or transforming hegemonic struggle into positive social change.
Maltese legislation only refers to cannabinoids, without specifying if these are phytocannabinoids (such as THC and CBD), semi-synthetic or synthetic cannabinoids. This terminology has not well-defined the distinction between naturally occurring phytocannabinoids (such as Cannabidiol - CBD), and laboratory synthesised semi- synthetic or synthetic cannabinoids (such as hexahydrocannabinol – HHC).
This paper aims to provide further clarity on the importance of using scientific means and terminology to better reflect obligations emanating from international drug control, but also reflect recent medical and technological developments linked with risks associated with cannabis use.
This paper aims to bring to the fore proposals by Van Ree (1999) and Stevens (2011) in advancing a human rights framework for drug use in society.
The Cannabis Social Club model is predominantly a grass-roots attempt at providing people who consume cannabis with a safe source where to obtain cannabis and a place of encounter for people sharing the same interests. Based on the democratic approach to the collective cultivation and sharing of cannabis at no profit, the model provides an alternative and innovative approach to address a number of public health and social justice matters.
This paper aims to explore the nexus between the establishment of a regulatory model for the recreational use of cannabis and the role of a harm and risk reduction approach embedded within the licensing and operational framework regulating not for profit cannabis social clubs.
The study aims to look at the right to health of armed forces personnel and acknowledges that the military cannot be insulated from wider societal, cultural or legal developments. In conclusion, the study proposes a number of recommendations.
In partnership with the Union for the Mediterranean and the Council of Europe’s Pompidou Group , the establishment in Malta of the Mediterranean Institute for Cannabis (MIC), tasked with creating a research and dialogue platform for Mediterranean states with a traditional history of cultivating cannabis, aims to promote a more prosperous, peaceful, and inclusive Euro-Mediterranean region. This will further enhance Malta’s diplomatic vision and long-standing efforts to promote regional cooperation and dialogue. Ultimately, this paper envisages to encourage a more just and balanced future for the newly emerging non-medical cannabis market and its traditional stakeholders, predominantly small-scale farmers in the South.
This study aims to look at characteristics that make the transitional period between adolescence and emerging adulthood special or ‘wild’, and delves into risks and opportunities predominant in this protracted developmental stage.
1) Decriminalise the consumption, cultivation and sharing of cannabis and reduce the monopoly of the illicit cannabis market
2) Assurance of quality tested cannabis at the MIRRC and seed to consumer trail (S2C) for Cannabis Social Clubs
3) Targeted harm reduction outreach and better data collection about local trends and practices established through the creation of members only not-for-profit Cannabis Social Clubs (CSC)
This paper aims to analyse substance prevention programs and drug educational material in Malta with a specific focus on cannabis. By looking at case studies from Australia and Canada, grass-roots initiatives and international and regional guidelines, the study questions the effectiveness of locally available material to educate youths and adults about cannabis.
If cannabis has been available for centuries, why was it singled out as a destructive force? Why did the international community include Cannabis within the same category of other highly addictive drugs such as heroin and cocaine?
This analysis seeks to understand the relationship between cannabis use and the gateway hypothesis, and uses ongoing debates in Malta as contextual background
This paper aims to shed light on acute drug emergencies in the EU and in Malta, keeping in focus the role of criminalisation acting as a direct barrier to the realisation of the right to health for people who use drugs.