Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1360420
3 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 APRIL 2021 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Cannabis and… motorsports "FOR adults, it is equally necessary that the nation provides a centre for car, horse and bicycle racing, a centre for athletics, football and other sports. and a start to the national stadium. It is only in this way that we can help the coming generations to avoid drugs and other vices that affluence in de- veloped countries brings with it." This was stated in the last part of section 11. (a) "Education" of the Malta Labour Party Electoral Pro- gramme 1971. This means that 50 years ago, the Labour Party knew exactly what had to be done to avoid the use of drugs by young people. Unfortunately, the promise of developing a centre for motor racing was never kept, and the use of drugs has grown out of control, judging by the daily ar- raignment of drug traffickers in our courts! Instead of stronger efforts to solve the problem, the present gov- ernment has decided to drive the problem under the carpet, and allow people to grow four plants of can- nabis in their own homes, provided that they are not in public view. The "White Paper" on the respon- sible use of cannabis is a simple form of defeat. Young people need the authorities to help them kick the habit not facilitate the use of drugs. The "White Paper" claims that "Nothing in this White Paper is intended to encourage, promote, or in any way lead to the consupmtion of cannabis". But that is exactly what the White Paper is doing. How many ministers are prepared to grow four plants at their home for their young daughters? Motorsport followers have been waiting for the development of a motor-racing circuit for more than 50 years. Motorsport is an expen- sive sport and racing drivers are not likely to have any margins left for the purchase of drugs or extra time to cultivate drugs! Motorsport is the discipline which contributes most to sport tourism. Successive ministers for tourism have only themselves to blame for missing millions, if not billions, of euros invested in tourism over the past 50 years as a result of their lack of action in developing a motor-rac- ing circuit. Similarly, ministers for labour and employment have only themselves to blame for not creating more jobs through motor racing. A manufac- turer of racing cars from South Af- rica declined to transfer his plant to Malta for the simple reason that we do not have a motor racing circuit. How many leaders of environmen- tal NGOs have ever visited a motor racing circuit abroad? If they had done so, they would have learnt that a racing circuit is the closest one can get to the environment. If and when a motor racing circuit were to be de- veloped in Malta, it will become the greenest patch of land in Malta. In its absence, it is likely to be turned into building towers! It is ironic that this government is trying to attract votes of young people by ruining their lives. Even- tually, this Labour government will be cursed by the same people who are currently rubbing their hands for the launching of the White Paper. Alfred A. Farrugia Attard