Task 2- Production Folder

The OASI Foundation is based in Gozo and caters to the prevention, intervention, and treatment services in relation to drug and alcohol abuse and other addictions. OASI’s early approach came into being during the years 1989 and 1990 when the founder, Fr. Emmanuel Cordina met with a group of people to discuss the drug abuse problem on the island of Gozo and any possible solutions to the problem. The group presented their thoughts in writing to the Bishop of Gozo before addressing their concerns to the Minister for Gozo. During this time, this group formulated the purpose and name of the OASI Foundation.

At OASI, they offer a number of different services, varying from therapy for persons with addiction or social problems to educational events and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. At one time or another, many people go through periods of dealing with problems such as stress, difficult situations, and conflicts. As part of its work to prevent people from turning to harmful behaviors, such as drinking or using drugs, as an escape during these difficult times, OASI offers services to help people to develop the necessary skills they need to deal with their issues in a healthy way.

One of OASI's main aims is to teach society about addiction - identifying warning signs and fatal patterns, knowing where and how to get help if it is needed, and finding positive alternatives to unhealthy behaviors. This is done not just through educational activities aimed towards different social sectors, but also through a wide variety of sports and cultural activities held throughout the year to promote a healthy lifestyle. When it comes to therapy, this NGO believes that a personalized approach that targets an individual's specific needs can be more fruitful than a one-size-fits-all system. Due to this reason, they offer a range of therapeutic services and can offer a personal treatment plan to beneficiaries after assessment.

With regards to social media, this NGO promotes its message in many ways. They have their site that is called; https://oasi.org.mt/. On this website, one can see that they post several information and keep the people who visit their website informed of what is truly happening out there. Here is a clear example of what I just have said. The last updated news was about the appeal to the chairperson of the petition committee

To add to that they also have a social media platform on Facebook. They inform the public since it is a page, not a private group. Everyone is available to search about it. They also organise events. OASI Foundation recently organized the eighth edition of its Youths 4 Youths event, with the aim of helping Gozitan children socialize through edutainment activities while providing a safe and healthy learning environment. Through the social awareness department, OASI aims to reach out to children and youths through innovative ways. The foundation says that informal learning methods, it has helped various youths who either were about to develop an addiction or inspired others to seek help to overcome their addiction. Besides, it has offered treatment and rehabilitation to hundreds of youths in difficulty and helped them in their path to recovery.

The OASI Foundation strongly beliefs that sports is scientifically proven to be a healthy way to improve mental health, relax, improve self-confidence and socialize. This, in turn, enhances the probability of keeping substance use at bay, while also promoting addiction recovery.

This edition of the OASI Cup Run and Fun Walk was successful and it was well-received by a number of amateur and professional athletes who participated in the 10K run, 4.5K walk, and three children’s runs which covered children aged between four to twelve.

In the NGO Oasi, there is Noel Xerri. As Treatment & Rehabilitation Manager for OASI Foundation, where the major tasks involved were the initiation and development of a Residential Treatment & Rehabilitation Unit. His main tasks included the further development and expansion of services to cater to special social groups. With regards to the recent legislation of cannabis, Xerri said several comments about this subject. Noel Xerri from Fondazzjoni OASI highlighted that the draft law contradicts itself when it sets up a regulatory authority but at the same time has to carry out campaigns on responsible use.

“You cannot regulate and promote responsible use,” he said. Xerri maintained that the bill, which is purportedly aimed at harm reduction, does not reduce harm when the legislator provides for the whole society instead of addressing the situation among a cohort of people who are evidently at risk. “The government should provide alternative recreational outlets which do not inflict harm on society in the long run,” he said.

In order to do an interview about this subject, I contacted him and he accepted to do an interview with me.

Due to the covid pandemic that has been going on at the moment, I also had in mind the risk assessments. The interview is going to take place in Gozo, so I will make sure that there will be no risk on the Gozo ferry. In order to keep safe, I will stay in my car inside. Apart from that, I am going to have my own equipment and therefore there is no need for anyone to touch the equipment. A sanitizer together with some wipes will also be available in order to clean up both before and after using the equipment. The interview will happen without a mask since we do need both the visual and the audio. In order to keep safe, I and the interviewee are going to have some distance. After the interview finish, I will immediately wear the face mask in order to keep protective.

I had also planned how to do the interview. As equipment, I will have two DSLR cameras together with their tripods, 2 lapel mics that are going to be used by me and by Noel. I am also going to take some light because this is going to happen in an office. For the interview, I planned to have a two-shot and over-the-shoulder. Of course, when I'll be there, I will check beforehand how the scene looks. It will be around 12 minutes and for this interview, I have chosen to do it in Maltese. Here are the questions that I am going to ask :

1. Kieku kont fil-pozizzjoni minflok il-Gvern x'kont taghmel... ma kontx tillegalizza?

2. Allura xi tghidli ghal dawk li ghandhom bzonnha fil-qasam tas-sahha? Ittijielhom jew le?

3. Kif hadtuha bhala NGO meta ghaddiet din il-ligi?

4. Persuni li jidhlu ghandkom jidhlu minhabba problems ta vizzji. Jekk wiehed ikollu vizzju tad-droga din il-ligi mhu xejn ghal din/dan il-proxxmu. X'tahseb inti fuq dan?