The OASI Foundation’s Official Stand Regarding Legalisation of Cannabis

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Last June, after that the Foundation’s Director General and Founder exposed publicly his opinion on the proposal of the political parties to discuss the legalisation of Cannabis for recreational and therapeutic purposes, staff, volunteers and present & past service users at OASI Foundation, also concerned about the underhanded way the subject matter regarding the Legalisation of Cannabis for Recreational Use is being publicly and politically handled declare, that:

While cannabis recreational usage is ostensibly being excused by the argument that certain people, suffering from certain conditions, could personally benefit from its use, consequently this justifies its legalisation and easy access on the open market even for recreational use. Such a rationale is defective and deviates into a perilous path to follow. We are well aware that derivatives from various natural products have always, through laboratory exploration and proper tests, been produced and made available, under control, for treatment of various medical conditions. Modern medicine is rich in such occurrences and we believe that cannabinoids derivatives could also be produced in a similar serious, medical setting and professional manner.

OASI Foundation’s concern relates to the negative health effects steps to unrestrained legalized moodaltering substances may have on our children’s future quality of life and that of our society at large. The following are our main concerns:

  1. Legalization of Cannabis use is a foreboding subject matter that requests first and foremost to be exposed for discussion amongst credited professionals and their clients/patients. These, through their social, psychological and physio-biological professional research, data, and experience should lead the direction of discussions and decision making on a public and political platform.
  2. Professionals in this field have had to deal with too many persons who, in their pre or early teens, started off smoking nicotine and consuming alcohol (both legal drugs) to end up taking a downward spiral into addiction, ruining their lives, that of their families and affecting society at large. Legalizing cannabis will intensify further this downward spiral.
  3. If smoking and alcohol are being severely discouraged nowadays, wouldn’t it be foolish to legalise other toxic or mood altering substances?
  4. We at OASI are aware of the misleading perception and mind-set that, as long as a person does not make use of heroin, there is no harm done in smoking cannabis or doing a line of cocaine every now and then. Therefore, the false justification follows, as cannabis does not kill physically, there is no harm done in its free use. Notwithstanding all this, it is common knowledge that smoking cannabis kills emotions and feelings towards oneself and others and thus risks the well-being of the user and society at large.
  5. Rather than legalizing drugs, the state should be more proactive in asking why our new generations are in this critical situation of choosing escapism instead of facing realities. The Education, Health and Social Ministries should therefore take up their responsibilities and truly lead by example to divert and invest their resources, human and financial, to do the required research and present academic solutions towards the understanding of the reasons behind such a thoughtless use of uncontrolled mood-altering substances simply to get an artificial good feeling in their lives.
  6. We feel that legalization, will be interpreted that there is no harm for a person to do marijuana – in all its forms and modes of ingestion, something which is obviously wrong. On the contrary, society, through those responsible for its good administering, has the responsibility to protect persons from myriad forms of poverty which cannabis can lead to. This should be done also, out of justice towards those who work and strive so hard to sustain our present and future generations through their vocational profession and their financial contributions towards the coffers of the state.

The above concerns are not merely based on our personal or organisational experiences but also on worldwide empirical studies as those referred to underneath.

Links of research:

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Youths 4 Youths

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OASI Foundation in collaboration with HSBC Malta Foundation, has organised the 5th edition of Youths 4 Youths. The aim behind this is to target Gozitan children and help them socialise with others through edutainment activities, while also providing a safe and healthy learning environment.

This activity would also help children ultimately to view OASI not only as an institution but as a safe place where people can seek help if they should ever be involved in any social problem. 

A group of children from the NGO Tgħanniqa Bormla, a group from YMCA and another group from Qalb ta' Ġesu Bormla were also invited to join together with a large number of Gozitans.

The activity involved a tour around the Government's Experimental Farm in Xewkija, a BBQ at the OASI premises and games for all children that were present. 

This event was once again a huge success, with both children and carers having a great time while gaining invaluable knowledge.

The OASI Foundation would like to thank the HSBC Malta Foundation for the sponsorship as without their help, such an activity would not be possible.

 

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Illum Jien,Għada Int…Id-Droga Wara Biebna

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Today 5th July, OASI Foundation and the Local Councils of Floriana, Mosta and Naxxar organized a National Conference under the Distinct Patronage of H.E Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta, with the title ‘Illum Jien, Għada Int ... Id-Droga wara Biebna!”   The Conference that was held at the Mosta Local Council was moderated by Dr. Corazon Mizzi.

In her opening speech H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, The President of Malta mentioned that it is important that the issue of drugs should always be placed at the forefront of the national agenda.  She emphasised that more research should be done on this issue and persons who are experiencing any kind of dependency should be consulted.

The first panel was made up of Dr Robert Chircop ,an Emergency Physician & Clinical Toxicologist, Ms. Pauline Miceli ,a Commissioner for Children and Mr. Dennis Theuma, a Assistant Commissioner.

The second Panel was made up of Dr. Anna Maria Vella who is the President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, Fr. Hilary Tagliaferro ,the Founder of the Millennium Chapel, Mr. Godwin Sammut a Forensic Scientist and Ms. Daniela Bugeja from the Anti Substance Abuse Service.

The audience was an active participant in the National Conference, and included representatives from diverse fields, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, educators, persons working with youths and students.  The conference was also addressed by the Mayors of the Local Councils and Fr. Emmanuel Cordina ,the General Director of the OASI Foundation closed the conference , where he emphasised the importance of discussing this topic before the introduction of new laws.

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OASI Day 2017

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A Thanksgiving Celebration was held at OASI Centre to commemorate the 26th anniversary of the OASI Foundation.

The Minister for Gozo, Justyne Caruana, in her address for the occasion, praised the commitment with which the OASI Foundation managed to integrate into today's dynamic society to help individuals who encounter problems due to addiction. 

Present for this commemoration were members of the board of directors, staff, volunteers, benefactors, clients and their families.

The Foundation provides all its services free of charge.

Anyone wishing to support the foundation may send a donation to the director-general, Oasi Centre, 5, Triq Wied Sara, Victoria VCT2963.

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Annual General Meeting 2017

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The Treatment and Rehabilitation Unit of the OASI Foundation, during 2016, catered for 205 persons with an addiction problem. Of these clients, 64 benefitted from a residential program and collectively made use of 2,568 bed nights. 95% of the residents making use of the OASI services are residents from Malta, while the rest come from Gozo. The OASI Residential Addiction Treatment Programme is a very intensive one based on the 12 Steps of AA, tailored for local needs on the Minnesota Model. This treatment method comprises an intensive residential therapy period of 8 weeks to 12 weeks, according to the individual’s requirement, followed by a tapering aftercare support on outpatient basis.

Besides residential treatment, OASI offers also the same 12 Steps therapeutic programme to clients on outpatients basis, through which persons who, for various reasons may not be able to attend a residential programme, such as residents from Gozo who have a good family support, mothers with young children or pregnant women. During 2016, 141 clients benefitted from this outpatient services which included session related to Outreach, Motivation, Continued Care and Aftercare.

This information was reported during the Annual General Meeting of the OASI Foundation, held last Sunday 19th March. For OASI this was the 2nd Annual General Meeting after that it had registered a new statute for the organisation that will assist it to manage its mission better in the present and future social conditions.

Besides the treatment given to addicted clients, the programme offers also individual and family group sessions on a weekly basis to family members and other persons significant to the clients in treatment. The latter service has the objective of helping people related to the clients in treatment to improve their understanding of addiction, to release their tension and frustrations and thus expectantly prepare them to provide a better quality of support to their loved ones once they leave treatment and start their social re-integration towards continued recovery.

 

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Riflessi Sajfin 2016

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On Saturday, the OASI Foundation's Primary Prevention Team held the 25th edition of the annual open- air festival Riflessi Sajfin, at Marsalforn Gozo.

The three hour festival presented by Joe d- Dulli & Veronica was a huge success, with a variety of artists performing on stage and with hundreds of Gozitian, Maltese and foreigners attending the event.

A number of new performers and other established singers and dancers were given the opportunity to perform this year such as: Julie Pomorski, Sarah Bonnici, Centre Stage, Albert-Lauren Agius, Alegria and many more.

A big thanks goes to all the sponsors  who have made this event possible, namely: Main Sponsors Malta Tourism Authority. As well as other sponsors – KPMG, General Soft Drinks, Arkadia, Farsons Foundation, APS Bank, Camilleri Group, Smugglers Cave, Paradise Bay Resort Hotel, Downtown Hotel, Hotel Ta' Cenc & Spa, The Grand Hotel, Captain Morgan Cruises, Harmony Skin Clinic, Kazin tal-Banda Santa Marija, Brookies Restaurant, Pebbles Restaurant, Pergola Club Hotel & Spa, Downtown Restaurant, Ta' Dirjanu, Gelati Granola, Bargate Bookshop & Health & Beauty Fitness Spa. 

Special thanks go to all OASI volunteers for their organisational support. Thankyou all for helping once again and for the 25th time to make Riflessi Sajfin 2016 the success that it was!

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Annual General Meeting 2016

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The first Annual General Meeting of the OASI Foundation was held on Sunday, 31st July 2016.

The Board of Directors thanked all those who have contributed to the work of the Foundation, gave an overview of what has been done so far and the charting of the new statute, and presented their vision for the way forward,

 

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OASI Day 2016

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On Sunday, the OASI Foundation celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a ceremony held in Gozo. In the late 80s, Fr. Emmanuel Cordina started encountering cases of drug experimentation in Gozo, and became aware of the lack of educational and preventive services in the sector.

With the help of a group of people, Fr. Cordina started the OASI project, and on Wednesday, the 26th of June 1991, the OASI Foundation was officially set up.

OASI said, as a house needs solid foundations to hold fast against the elements, so does society. The Founders always believed that children and youths are the foundations of society, and thus OASI started its work in prevention to help society strengthen future generations.

The next step for the Foundation was to set up a futuristic programme of prevention and care tailored to Gozitan needs as well as the national social milieu. A year after foundation, a programme was chosen that could offer OASI and its clients services tackling toxic substance abuse.

OASI said that its new social project was built around three central elements: preventive education, effective intervention and intensive therapeutic rehabilitation. The programme was based on the philosophy, pedagogy and therapy of the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-Step Programme and the biopsychosocial Minnesota Model. These worthwhile decisions are still bearing fruit today.

Oven these 25 years of work in the community, OASI continued to grow and renew itself. On the 20th of November, 1998, a Residential Centre was opened and all services started also being offered on a residential basis. Over the years, OASI has twice had to increase the size of its Centre in Victoria, Gozo.

In 2009, a new Residential Home was opened, increasing the number of beds from 7 to 15. Over the years, OASI said that it has faced many problems, including a period between 2003 and 2004 when the residential centre had to close.

"This was a difficult time for OASI and its clients who were following the 12-Step Programme, which is only offered by OASI in Malta. In spite of these setbacks, assistance was still given to persons seeking assistance with social problems from OASI during this time."

In 2013, reform was carried out to help the Foundation strengthen its structures so as to be better prepared to face current problems as well as future ones. At this time, the Foundation was structured into 5 departments: Administration, Volunteers, Primary Prevention, Immediate Intervention, and the Treatment Unit.

This year, the Board of Directors has updated and registered a new statute, with the intention of putting the Foundation in a better position to carry out its work in the community with greater efficiency and civic responsibility.

OASI said that the new statute reflects the changes that happened in both the Foundation itself and society at large over the preceding 25 years.

This statute gives all friends of OASI, volunteers and benefactors, the opportunity to become ordinary members of the Foundation, with the right to attend Annual General Meetings and vote about internal changes and in elections to fill vacant posts on the Board of Directors.

The OASI Foundation said that its mission is to continue to spread and grow its educational, therapeutic and social work. "This can only be done thanks to the dedication and ceaseless work of all those who support the Foundation."

OASI gave special thanks to the Directors, all other volunteers, staff and benefactors, past and present, "thanks to whom OASI remains present, working for the benefit of society, to this day."

During Sunday's celebrations a memento was presented to Karista Stellini by Fr. Emmanuel Cordina, in appreciation of her voluntary services to the OASI Foundation.

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3rd Edition of Youths 4 Youths

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Another huge success for the 3rd Edition of Youths 4 Youths by OASI Foundation                       

On the 17th September, OASI Foundation in collaboration with HSBC Malta Foundation organised the 3rd edition of Youths 4 Youths. The aim behind this project was to target Gozitan children and help them socialize with others through edutainment activities, while also providing a safe and healthy learning environment.  This will ultimate help children to view OASI not only as an institution, but as a safe place where people can seek help if they should ever be involved in any social problem. Together with a good amount of Gozitan children, a group of children from the NGO Tgħanniqa Bormla have been invited.  This NGO works to provide educational activities to mostly disadvantaged children and youths. OASI believes that this mixture will be pro-active, as both groups can learn and grow through being exposed to others’ experiences.

The activity involved a tour around the Citadel while visiting some museums where the children could learn more about the History of Malta, a bbq at the OASI premises and a preventive educational workshop that focused on the importance of choosing the right friends.

Youths 4 Youths was once again a huge success with both children and carers having a great time while learning invaluable things. The OASI Foundation would like to thank HSBC Malta Foundation for the sponsorship as without its help, such an activity would not be possible. 

 

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OASI Family Fest

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On Sunday, March 22nd, 2015, the OASI Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo, Gozo Sports Board and Gozo College, organized the 1st edition of the OASI Family Fest.  This event aimed to provide people with a fun, positive space where they could enjoy themselves alone or with friends or family. 

A number of distinguished guests took part in the event, including Dr. Anton Refalo, Minister for Gozo, Dr. Samuel Azzopardi, Mayor of Victoria, Mr. Alvin Grech, CEO of the Gozo Sports Board, H.L. Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo, and Mr. Edgar Preca, representing H.E. the President. 

The event was a great success, with around 600 people participating in all the different activities.  These included a walk and run from the OASI Centre to the Ta’ Xhajma Race Track, the setting up of an artisan market, train rides, Shetland pony rides, and a number of fun games for children.

OASI Foundation would like to thank all those people who made this event possible especially all the volunteers and all the people present for the activity.   

 

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