The Chairperson of the National Drug Agency NDA Lubna Zahir says in the last 12 years, the National Institute for Research and Addiction Studies has not undertaken any work and work is now underway to widen its operations.
Studies show that there are about 7,500 drug users in the Maldives. Many efforts are being made to establish an appropriate treatment system to address the drug problem.
Lubna said she has held a discussion meeting with the Health Ministry and Allied Insurance to build counselors who treat drug addicts.
The purpose of the consultation meeting is to build counselors who treat drug addicts in all islands in the Maldives. Lubna said the program will be conducted online and parts of the program will be conducted in classes.
Acting CEO of NDA Mohamed Rashid said drug use has now spread to all the corners of the country. He said as those in charge of treatment, the policy level is to increase the treatment so that the individuals can be reintegrated into the community.
Noting that mental illnesses are common among addicts, Rashid said that most of the individuals getting addiction treatment are mentally unstable.
He said that while drug users are kept on the islands for their treatments, there is no counseling or other psychosocial support available to them. He said there are no people trained in the field to conduct a session.
The NDA is preparing to start building addiction counselors and taking legal action against those who do not cooperate with drug treatment.
