Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1354201
3 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 MARCH 2021 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Under the influence ACCORDING to a report in The Times (13 March 2021) the driver of a double-decker bus that crashed in 2018 killing two is being charged by prosecutors with driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. But how can this be if his breatha- lyser test was zero negative? However, it this test was only for one part of the alleged offence as how, when and where was he tested for drug driving? What facilities or equipment does the police pos- sess for testing drivers whom they perceive to be under the influence of illegal drugs and was this driver tested for drug-driving? Many of the great and the good enlightened minds of our society (senior police officers, transport ministers and even Professor Char- maine Gauci) have gone on record when claiming that many road traf- fic incidents/collisions are caused as a consequence of drivers being un- der the influence of narcotics (with these views being published in this very newspaper) but from where or from whom did they source such data? Indeed, what statistics are avail- able to support such drug related claims? How many drivers have been charged with a road traffic contravention courtesy of them being under the influence of drugs? How many convictions have been secured by the police for such an of- fence? Again, what facilities equip- ment do the police possess to test drivers for drug driving either at the scene of a road traffic incident or at a police station? Drugs are for mugs, but who can confirm, or how can it be con- firmed, that drivers involved in road traffic incidents were under the influence of illegal substances. Jacqueline Vella Mellieha Role of social work in Malta 'UBUNTU: I Am Because We Are': this statement of collegiality ex- plains the rationale behind the so- cial work profession and the reason why the profession is being cele- brated. Social work values human re- lationships, seeing them as the cornerstone of all the profession's interventions. It acknowledges that people need social networks and that many face serious issues because of disruptions in these net- works. It strives to support people in repairing these relationships and in becoming active participants in their families and communities. It looks beyond people's vulnerabil- ity, seeing them as valued human beings, regardless of their human condition. Social workers, through their re- lationships with service users, strive to help the latter achieve change in their lives. In the process, social workers are also impacted, as they maintain an awareness of the re- sponsibility they have in accompa- nying people, who are often among the most vulnerable members of society, in their most painful mo- ments. They carry this responsibility with compassion, pride and honour, while acknowledging how difficult it could be for people to entrust them with their difficulties. They have chosen their profession because they want to reach out to people and help to create commu- nities in which there is a sense of social justice. They stand up to say, "I am be- cause we are" and invite others to join them, so that every member in society can say, "Ubuntu!" Obo Malta Association of Social Workers