NDA Chair Lubna acknowledged the struggles of overcoming drug addiction, but at the same time emphasized the importance of society allowing space and opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration.
National Drug Agency (NDA) Board Chair and State Minister at Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology Lubna Mohamed Zahir Hussain has appealed to State Owned Enterprises to assist persons who complete NDA's Drug Rehabilitation Program as they seek employment after completing treatment.
Lubna made these comments while speaking at a ceremony last night to award certificates to persons who had completed the NDA's Drug Rehabilitation Program after they had been sentenced to treatment by the Drug Court.
She emphasized that the cooperation of the government and society is necessary to reintegrate rehabilitated drug addicts back into society.
Lubna revealed that even at present, the government is spending significantly on reintegration of former addicts back into society, and that the positive results of this can be widely observed.
In addition to rehabilitation, NDA also provided recovery support after the treatment, she said.
"I take this opportunity to appeal to companies and SOEs in Maldives to work closely with NDA to provide employment opportunities to persons who complete drug rehabilitation treatment," she said.
Addressing those who had completed treatment, Lubna advised them to lead dignified lives when reintegrating back into society after having successfully completed the rehabilitation program. She called on the community to provide support as they join society again, and to accept them as important members of society.
She highlighted the importance of reaching out to NDA in the instance that any psychological assistance is needed as reintegration proceeds, advising them to attend mental health sessions held at the NDA and to seek support from each other.
Lubna went on to note that the government now spends more on rehabilitation and revealed that the next year's budget would include MVR 30 million more for the services.
NDA is working on further advancing the treatment programs offered by the agency, she said. As such, they are currently preparing to commence offering out patient treatment services as well.
The agency is also working on introducing more effective medication into the system.
She acknowledged the struggles of overcoming drug addiction, but at the same time emphasized the importance of society allowing space and opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Sign In