The Drug User’s Administrative Panel through the lens of PWUD

Mauritius is currently in the process of setting up the Drug User’s Administrative Panel (DUAP). where a person is suspected of having committed a drug offence for his personal consumption, he will, on the recommendation of the Director of Public Prosecutions, not be prosecuted for that offence but will instead be referred to the Drug Users Administrative Panel (DUAP). On being referred to the DUAP, the person will be directed to undergo rehabilitation such as education, counselling, treatment, aftercare, social reintegration or any other therapy at a public health institution or such other institutions as the Ministry of Health and Wellness may approve. The Panel will monitor the progress of the drug user during the period of rehabilitation and will assist the person to overcome his addiction to drugs.

However, as a Harm Reduction organization, we understand that people who use drugs may not always require treatment for their type of drug use or may even choose not to do so for various reasons, and it is important to respect their choice.

We aim at having a video campaign, reflecting on the hopes and fears of this panel through the lens of people who use drugs. It is important for people who use drugs to have a platform to express themselves, that the wider population can access.