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I refer to the article entitled ‘Children of a Lesser God,’ by Dr Anna Mallia. (MaltaToday, 19 September, 2004).
The article mentioned drug abuse at the Paola Secondary School and alleged that the headmaster “keeps his eyes closed,” but sometimes “calls the police when he gets a complaint from the parents”.
In the few instances when there was any suspicion of this sort, Education Division Personnel from the Anti-Substance Abuse Unit of the Safe Schools Programme, were summoned immediately and parents were informed. Since then, all necessary support has been provided.
Moreover, the Headmaster has never called the police either to search or to prosecute. The school has always followed the Substance Abuse Procedures published by the Ministry of Education.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning that at the Paola Secondary School there has been an ongoing awareness, educational, and prevention programme by the Personal and Social Development and Guidance and Counselling Sections of the same school, in collaboration with both the Education Division Student Services Department and the Agenzija Sedqa.
Emanuel Abela
Director of Information
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