Powerlessness and helplessness were symbolized during the era of Donald Tusk and the Civic Platform. A new law has been created to empower the state to counter this practice effectively, according to Deputy Justice Minister Marcin Warchał on the TV channel wPolsce.pl. The focus is the government’s campaign against legal highs and the broader effort to restore public order.
Coat of arms of the Minister of Justice
When asked about the arms possession scandal, Deputy Minister Warchał offered his view and explained the position of the ministry:
The murder warrant seeking 100,000 units has come under formal investigation. The issue involves the kingpin of the supply network for illegal stimulants, and the order touched Minister Zbigniew Ziobro. The ministry argues that a new law closes a loophole by treating legal highs with the same severity as other drugs, prescribing penalties of up to ten years or more for significant trafficking. In the past, then Prime Minister Donald Tusk publicly discussed the problem but did not take concrete action. The consequences affected many families, with poisoning cases and even fatalities reported. The rise of new shops selling legal highs was a growing concern.
This is the assessment offered by the State Secretary of Justice.
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The war on drugs
The discussion also centered on the fight against legal highs. Deputy Justice Minister Warchał noted that the leader of the Civic Platform originally declared opposition to legal highs, while emphasizing that the ZP government had created the framework for effective action. The diminished sense of security and the sense of powerlessness seen in prior years prompted a new legal approach. This approach aims to equip authorities with stronger tools to confront the problem, a point highlighted by the deputy minister. The claims about the previous era focus on a perceived lack of action in timing and scope, and the new law is presented as a decisive step forward. The notion of political accountability for past inaction is part of the discussion, with officials stressing that the government has enacted measures to curb this practice and protect public health. The deputy minister maintains that the government acted to reestablish public confidence and safety.
Marcin Warchał is clear about the stakes and the rationale for the new provisions.
Beating up a teenager in Pruszkow
Asked for his stance on the brutal beating of a teenager in Pruszków by a group of six minors, the deputy justice minister underscored that violence against young people, coupled with denials from authorities, compounds the harm to youth. The discussion touched on broader worries about the impact of violence on faith, family, and community, a topic the minister linked to public media discourse. The minister argued that a reform package proposed by Minister Czarnek would strengthen support for families and schools, ensuring they can better respond to challenging youth behavior. He noted that the president has not signed this bill, which he described as a missed opportunity to curb violence and restore order. The minister cited Cardinal Wyszyński on the consequences of attacking religious values and the long-term risk to the fabric of society. He suggested that without a strong ethical framework, young people may drift without direction, facing an environment filled with negative influences.
The deputy minister continued to emphasize the importance of a moral and educational strategy as part of the response to youth violence.
There were related updates about arrests in connection with the Pruszków incident and discussions about how the authorities plan to address similar cases in the future. The minister also pointed to the government’s plan to establish district education centers with a broader set of sanctions and protections for minors. These centers would serve individuals up to the age of 24, providing a mix of support services, defense rights, and disciplinary measures. The approach includes restorative activities like community service with parental consent, alongside a stricter stance on the most serious crimes. The aim is to strike a balance between protecting vulnerable youths and holding accountable those who commit serious offenses.
The Deputy Minister of Justice reiterated that a comprehensive system has been introduced to confront juvenile crime. A key element is lowering the penalty age for the most violent crimes from 15 to 14, a change the government argues is necessary for safety and proper upbringing. The overarching message is that education and accountability must go hand in hand to safeguard families and communities, ensuring children are safe when they go to school or to day care. The deputy minister affirmed his confidence in these reforms and their role in rebuilding trust in public institutions.
Marcin Warchał, Deputy Minister of Justice, expressed no doubt about the direction of these changes and their intended impact. The full interview with him is recommended for those seeking a deeper understanding of the policy shifts described in this discussion.
Source: wPolityce