Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Aishath Mohamed Didi, on Monday, stated that the rate of drug use was increasing among women and children.
The minister made the statement while speaking during the international consultation on evidence based treatment programs in Maldives, which was held by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United States Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the National Drug Agency (NDA).
Discussing future attempts to curb the prevalence of drug abuse, Minister Aishath asserted the necessity of establishing rehabilitation centres specifically for children and women, as well as employing evidence-based, need-based and community-based interventions.
Noting that several efforts were already underway to address the issue, the gender minister highlighted the importance of drug treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes being accessible throughout the country.
Minister Aishath went on to reveal that drug addicts were identified as one of the most vulnerable groups amid the COVID-19 pandemic and that the gender ministry had worked to provide food, shelter and medical detoxification for such individuals. She added that NDA was involved in extending services to approximately 400 individuals that required assistance during this period.
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately impact drug addicts the gender ministry confirmed in April that all classes and sessions held by NDA at the Community Centre were temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of the virus.
Furthermore, the ministry revealed that 31 percent of homeless people that requested government assistance as of April were identified as being addicted to drugs.
According to local media outlet Mihaaru, a total of 648 individuals are currently on the waiting list after requesting to begin rehabilitation programmes under verdicts from the Drug Court.
In 2013, the National Drug Use Survey estimated that there were 7,500 drug users in the Maldives, of which the major of users were between 15-24 years old. Around 200 drug users in Malé and 300 in the rest of the country were found to be injecting drug users who are vulnerable to the spread of blood-borne diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.
Although little research was publicised since, experts continue to surmise that figures are still on the rise, along with that of associated risks. A number of people have attributed to the high incidence of relapse, to poor rehabilitation facilities and programs, along with prevailing social stigma and lack of access to counselling that covers job prospects, assists with living situations and so forth.
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