Community-based drug treatment not found to be effective: Rashid

National Drug Agency (NDA) Acting CEO Mohamed Rashid has said that he does not believe community-based treatment for persons addicted to drugs would bring about the most effective results.

In a press conference held by NDA yesterday, Rashid said that at present, there are no persons pending treatment after being assigned for residential treatment by the Drug Court.

He said that there are only a few remaining to receive treatment, and that those are due to pending medical assessments or indicative assessments, and other such issues. Otherwise, all sentenced have been delivered treatment.

Rashid said that if assessments of addicts indicate that they are in need of community-based treatment, then that opportunity will be granted.

He said that the international best practice is to allow such persons to remain with family while undergoing treatment. If such circumstances are not feasible, a semi-residential program is offered. If the situation fails to improve, then residential treatment is undertaken.

However, the situation in Maldives is very different, Rashid noted. He said that experience shows that allowing people to stay in small communities where everyone knows each other while receiving treatment does not reap the best results.

He said that there are none in the community who offer assistance to persons with addictions.

"Even our children are not being allowed in their homes. At present, centres, institutions or even friends that can offer treatment or assistance to those in such situations is not enabled in the community."

Due to this, he said that it is important to offer residential rehabilitation to those addicted to drugs.

Rashid said that even at present, there are about 300-400 drug addicts in the community. Many out of these do not attend the psychological wellness sessions conducted by the NDA, he said. Hence, he said that changes need to be enforced to make attending these sessions compulsory for those in community-based treatment.

Rashid further said that synthetic drugs have become common of late, which leads to psychological complications amongst users.

This poses new challenges in offering treatment programs as well, he said. While changes are being brought to training programs, these situations make it necessary to attend to psychological issues first.

NDA offers both residential and non-residential treatment. Under residential treatment, the Therapeutic Community Rehabilitation Centre, Residential Detox and Semi-residential Facility and Remand Centre in Kaafu atoll Himmafushi are used. Detox facilities are located in Addu, Fuvahmulah, Gaafu Dhaalu atoll Thinadhoo as well.

The bed capacity of all drug treatment facilities across the country is at 350.