Business of Cannabis reports
Malta is set to introduce random drug testing for drivers of all vehicles as part of a newly proposed ‘zero tolerance’ policy.
The largely progressive new drug strategy for the next decade, which emphasises the need to ‘respect the fundamental aspects of human rights in that users are not criminals’, is ultimately aimed at reducing the use of ‘illegal drugs’ in Malta.
However, the inclusion of random drug tests for drivers and possibly in workplaces has raised concerns over testing accuracy and unfair penalisation.
Random drug tests
Yesterday, Malta’s Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon announced the controversial new measures in a press conference, alongside the release of the ‘National Drug Strategy 2023-2033’ consultation document.
The new strategy’s ultimate aim is to ‘reduce the use of drugs and their resultant harms’, largely by focusing coordinated cross-departmental efforts on trafficking.
To achieve this, a new National Law Enforcement Body composed of representatives from various national law enforcement agencies will be established, while ‘enhancing the activities of police’ and giving them new powers to intervene.
As part of this, one of the 30 actions set to be implemented is the introduction of a ‘new law on random drug testing for all drivers of all vehicles with a zero tolerance for all illicit drugs.’
