Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1538077
5 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 1 AUGUST 2025 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The OASI said it has put for- ward recommendations, span- ning from tightening road safety through measures like mandato- ry breathalyzer tests, strength- ening enforcement of existing laws, implementing prevention strategies via education and training, and reforming adver- tising and legal frameworks to view alcohol as a substance with significant public health impli- cations, similar to controlled substances. A key focus is pro- tecting minors by raising the le- gal drinking age to 21 and creat- ing alcohol-free zones in public and youth-centric spaces. The recommendations are as follows: Alcohol use should be treated as the primary substance abuse issue Alcohol must be recognized as the leading substance abuse problem, triggering the use of other drugs, according to the OASI Foundation. The organ- ization is calling for national strategies to prioritize alco- hol-related issues and introduce reforms targeting the root caus- es of substance misuse. Families need better support, less stigma Current addiction policies overlook the needs of families, the Foundation warns. It said there is a lack of institutional support and that stigma often deters families from seeking help. National celebrations that glamorize alcohol only add to the emotional toll, further iso- lating those affected. Training for alcohol-serving establishments proposed OASI recommends mandato- ry training every three years for staff at establishments serving alcohol. The goal is to equip em- ployees with the skills to identify signs of alcohol dependency and potentially intervene early. Inconsistent messaging on underage drinking needs reform Young people face confusion due to discrepancies between national laws, enforcement practices, and social norms around underage drinking. The education system, the Founda- tion says, should adopt a clear, evidence-based message that is consistently applied across in- stitutions. Raise legal drinking age to 21, citing brain development OASI proposes raising the le- gal drinking age to 21, citing neurological research showing that the adolescent brain con- tinues to develop into the mid- 20s. Early exposure to alcohol increases the risk of long-term cognitive damage and addiction. Mandatory testing for alcohol in public incidents The Foundation is calling for immediate on-site alcohol and substance testing in cases involving domestic violence, public disturbances, and repeat drink-driving offenses. This would provide real-time data to inform law enforcement and court decisions. Alcohol pricing reform recommended A dual pricing strategy involv- ing increased taxation and a minimum unit price of €0.75 is being proposed. According to the Foundation, this approach would reduce harmful con- sumption, particularly among high-risk groups. Stronger enforcement of alcohol sale hours OASI is urging improved en- forcement of sale-hour laws, in- cluding allocating dedicated re- sources within the Malta Police Force and the Commerce De- partment to ensure compliance. Implement the pave project fully The Foundation is calling for full implementation and funding of the PAVE Project, a national initiative aimed at preventing alcohol and drug use among minors through education and public awareness. Alcohol-free zones in vulnerable areas OASI proposes the creation of alcohol-free zones in locations frequented by children, youth, and recovery communities, such as schools, sports venues, and family-oriented events. Revise outdated public drunkenness laws Current legal frameworks must be updated to address public in- toxication more effectively and to close existing legal loopholes, the Foundation said. Breathalysers at all traffic stops and accidents OASI recommends making breathalyser tests mandatory at every traffic accident and rou- tine stop. Police officers should also be empowered to conduct random testing, not just those based on suspicion. Ban alcohol on moving vehicles and floats To prevent alcohol-fueled inci- dents, the Foundation is calling for a ban on alcohol advertising, consumption, and promotion on moving vehicles and cele- bratory floats, especially those involving minors. Restrict alcohol in passenger compartments Agius recommends that al- cohol and related products be kept in a vehicle's boot, with penalties issued for violations. If minors are present, sanctions should include licence suspen- sion and referrals to child pro- tection authorities. Repeat offenders face licence revocation Repeat drink-driving offend- ers should have their licenc- es revoked and be referred for mandatory treatment programs, OASI proposes, in an effort to reduce reoffending and improve road safety. Random checks in public venues The Foundation is calling for unannounced inspections and ID checks in public venues and events to crack down on under- age drinking and unlawful alco- hol sales. Make alcohol education mandatory in schools The Foundation urges the government to integrate man- datory, age-appropriate lessons on alcohol and drug misuse in- to the PSCD syllabus across all schools. Train frontline staff to respond to alcohol abuse All frontline professionals, in- cluding teachers, police, and healthcare workers, should re- ceive training to identify signs of substance abuse and refer indi- viduals to appropriate support services. Ban alcohol ads in public and online To curb normalization, OASI is calling for a nationwide ban on alcohol advertising in pub- lic spaces and digital platforms, similar to existing tobacco ad- vertising restrictions. End use of "responsible drinking" messaging National health campaigns should abandon the term "re- sponsible drinking," the Foun- dation said, aligning with WHO guidance that no level of alcohol consumption is considered safe. Messaging should focus on re- ducing and discouraging alcohol use altogether. Central database to track offenses and treatment OASI is also calling for a na- tional database to track sub- stance use offenses, treatment outcomes, and rehabilitation compliance, providing a da- ta-driven foundation for future policymaking. Raise the legal drinking level to 21, NGO advises in light of recent traffic accidents