Police say more than 1,100 locals regularly use drug cafes, establishments that let customers abuse drugs in cafe-like settings.
Police revealed this at the media event held at Iskansharu Building displaying multiple stalls to demonstrate the prevalence of substance abuse situation in the Maldives.
They said that a total of 1,118 Maldivians are regularly seeking services from such illegal establishments and that these include 14 children below the age of 18 years.
Police also said these locals include 65 women as well as 56 individuals older than 50 years of age.
They also said that those using the drug cafes include 217 individuals who have been sentenced to drug rehabilitation and another 305 individuals who have been cut off from the rehabilitation program.
Police highlighted that 63 locals and 4 Bangladeshis who are homeless are also using drug cafes.
About today's media event, Police said that it had highlighted the implementation guide and challenges faced by MPS tackling the critical substance abuse issue in Maldives.
