Stqarrija minn Caritas Malta – b’reazzjoni dwar il-Ftehim Aruc u MFA

Tħassib ta’ Caritas Malta dwar il-ftehim tal-ARUC mal-MFA

Verżjoni bil-Malti – Stqarrija 31 ta’ Marzu 2026

Caritas Malta tesprimi tħassib dwar il-ftehim riċenti bejn l-Awtorità għall-Użu Responsabbli tal-Kannabis u l-Assoċjazzjoni Maltija tal-Futbol.

Caritas Malta tirrikonoxxi bis-sħiħ u tappoġġja l-prinċipju ta’ investiment ta’ fondi pubbliċi għall-inklużjoni, l-opportunità u l-iżvilupp b’saħħtu tat-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ, partikolarment permezz tal-isport. Li jiġi ffaċilitat l-aċċess għal attivitajiet strutturati bħal nurseries tal-futbol huwa investiment soċjali importanti u ta’ valur u għan nobbli.

Madankollu, Caritas Malta tesprimi tħassib serju dwar kif dan il-ftehim qed jiġi ppreżentat u dwar l-identità istituzzjonali li fuqha huwa mibni. It-terminu nnifsu “Awtorità għall-Użu Responsabbli tal-Kannabis” huwa diffiċli biex jiġi rrikonċiljat ma’ programmi preventivi u protettivi mmirati lejn it-tfal. Il-kunċett ta’ “użu responsabbli” fir-rigward tal-kannabis joħloq ambigwità fil-messaġġ, speċjalment meta jkun marbut ma’ inizjattivi li jinvolvu minorenni.

Din is-sitwazzjoni tirrifletti kontradizzjoni profonda: hija bħall-promozzjoni ta’ edukazzjoni dwar is-sigurtà fit-toroq għat-tfal taħt il-bandiera ta’ istituzzjoni bl-isem “responsible over-speeding”. Bil-mod kif jiġi ppreżentat il-messaġġ jista’ jibgħat mixed message li jdgħajjef l-isforzi ta’ prevenzjoni. Għaż-żgħażagħ, iċ-ċarezza fil-messaġġi pubbliċi hija essenzjali biex tappoġġja għażliet infurmati u b’saħħithom.

Filwaqt li tirrikonoxxi l-intenzjonijiet tajba wara dan il-ftehim, Caritas Malta tisħaq li l-Awtorità ma tistax tevita l-implikazzjonijiet tal-isem u tal-mandat tagħha f’kuntest fejn l-użu tal-kannabis qed jiġi dejjem aktar normalizzat fost it-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ.

Barra minn hekk, Caritas Malta temmen li dan il-ftehim jidher li jonqos mis-sensittività lejn individwi u familji affettwati mill-konsegwenzi negattivi tal-użu tal-kannabis. Ħafna jesprimu magħna l-frustrazzjoni u l-uġigħ dwar kif qed jiġi applikat il-qafas legali, partikolarment fir-rigward ta’ nuqqas ta’ infurzar tal-liġijiet li jipprojbixxu l-konsum tal-kannabis fil-pubbliku u quddiem it-tfal, inkluż f’postijiet bħal playgrounds, kif ukoll in-nuqqas ta’ regolamentazzjoni ċara u effettiva dwar il-bejgħ ta’ prodotti tal-kannabis b’livell baxx ta’ THC li jkomplu jippromwovu l-kannabis u prodotti relatati.

Caritas Malta tħeġġeġ lill-partijiet kollha involuti biex ikunu kawti u responsabbli fil-konsistenza tal-messaġġi ta’ saħħa pubblika speċjalment f’inizjattivi mmirati lejn it-tfal u l-adolexxenti. Huwa essenzjali li ċ-ċarezza fil-prevenzzjoni u l-protezzjoni tal-gruppi vulnerabbli jibqgħu fil-qalba ta’ kull inizjattiva.

Caritas Malta tibqa’ impenjata li tagħti kontribut b’mod kostruttiv fid-djalogu nazzjonali u li tkompli bl-impenn tagħha f’inizjattivi ta’ prevenzjoni u fl-appoġġ lill-individwi u lill-familji affettwati mill-użu ta’ sustanzi, filwaqt li tippromwovi policies li jqgħiedu il-benesseri, ir-responsabbiltà u l-koeżjoni soċjali bħala prijoritajiet.

Concern by Caritas Malta over ARUC Agreement with the MFA

English Version – PRESS RELEASE  31st March 2026

Caritas Malta expresses concern about the recent agreement between the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis and the Malta Football Association.

Caritas Malta wholeheartedly recognises and supports the principle of investing public funds to promote inclusion, opportunity, and healthy development among children and youths, particularly through sport. Facilitating access to structured activities such as football nurseries is an important and noble social investment.

However, Caritas Malta expresses serious concern regarding the framing and institutional identity underpinning this agreement. The very term “Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis” is difficult to reconcile with preventive and protective programmes targeting children. The concept of “responsible use” in relation to cannabis creates ambiguity in messaging, particularly when associated with initiatives involving minors.

This situation reflects a deep contradiction: it is like promoting road safety education for children under the banner of an institution titled “responsible over-speeding.” Such framing risks sending mixed signals that can undermine prevention efforts. For young people, clarity in public messaging is essential to support informed and healthy choices.

While acknowledging that the good intentions behind the agreement, Caritas Malta stresses that the Authority cannot escape the implications of its title and mandate in a context where cannabis use is increasingly being normalised for children and youth.

Furthermore, Caritas Malta believes that this agreement may lack the sensitivity towards individuals and families afflicted by the negative consequences of cannabis use. Many continue to express frustration and pain regarding the application of the legal framework, particularly the lack of enforcement of regulations prohibiting public consumption of cannabis and the consumption of cannabis in front of children including in playgrounds, as well as the absence of clear and effective regulation concerning the sale of low-THC cannabis products that continue to advertise cannabis and cannabis products.

Caritas Malta urges all stakeholders to exercise greater caution and responsibility in aligning public health messaging with initiatives targeting children and adolescents. It is essential that prevention, clarity, and the protection of vulnerable groups remain at the forefront.

Caritas Malta remains committed to contributing constructively to national dialogue, its prevention initiatives and its support to individuals and families affected by substance use, while advocating for policies that prioritise wellbeing, responsibility, and social cohesion.