Drug rehab: Major challenges out of the public eye

National Drug Agency (NDA) stated last night that treatment for drug addiction has deteriorated to a level hidden from the public eye, with nearly all patients relapsing and requiring repeated rehabilitation. 

Speaking on State TV PSM, Deputy Minister at Homeland Security, Mohamed Rashid, who is in charge of overseeing NDA, said that dedicated efforts were made over the past two years to improve the status of the NDA. 

"Our treatment services had deteriorated to a level not seen by the public. I am not pointing a finger of blame at anyone. This is how it was right from the beginning," Rashid said. 

However, Rashid affirmed that this year will mark the strengthening and improvement of the NDA, with services to be aligned with international standards, evidence-based practices, and Islamic principles. 

According to Rashid, Maldives does not currently have a solid system to assist addicts seeking rehabilitation. Although services were significantly improved around the year 2000, the drug rehabilitation system has markedly deteriorated due to varying factors, he said. 

"So we're having to start a lot of things from scratch again," he said. 

Rashid said that although the public may not have noticed any significant efforts to improve the drug rehabilitation services over the past two years, a lot of work has been done on the ground level. 

"In the coming days, God willing, everything needed by the patient will be made ready. We will set in place means of helping them on the street, and of providing all they need during treatment. There is a lot that needs to be known," Rashid said. 

Rashid emphasized that the NDA has identified external factors that must be tackled to reinforce the rehabilitation system. 

"2026 will be a year when the public sees a whole new picture," Rashid asserted. 

Currently, patients receive rehabilitative treatment either through court orders or when they apply for it. 

Rashid explained that while there are currently around 10 centres in the country providing drug rehabilitation services, a number of different treatment systems will be adopted in the future. Under this, the unique situations of each patient will be taken into consideration. 

"To be honest, now, regardless of the situation, the only place they can be taken to is Himmafushi. A program of some level is being conducted there now. But it is not yet at the quality we desire," Rashid conceded. 

Rashid said that drug rehabilitation centres are at very dismal conditions, and has not had any significant repairs or renovations done over the years. 

The Himmafushi Centre was also established 28 years ago, and yet, no repairs or renovation has been conducted there to date, Rashid noted. 

"I am not criticizing any specific persons. There just has been no repairs done. So in reality, the place is not in a condition to accommodate people even to near its actual capacity," Rashid explained. 

"When in treatment, there will be situations where they are disobedient or unruly at first. In such situations, we need to come to some decisions. We are unable to do even this at the moment due to the condition of the facilities," he said. 

Rashid stated that he has high hopes for the year ahead.

This includes an aspiration to ensure treatment facilities are strengthened over the year, additional treatment systems are put in place, as well as introducing new services at the centres. 

Rashid stated that measures will be introduced to ensure patients receive proper psychological services and assessments, noting that many undergoing drug rehabilitation also need mental health support. 

Additionally, special provisions will be introduced for patient who, due to their personalities, cannot be housed with the wider patient group. 

Rashid stressed that while the Drug Court sends large numbers into rehabilitation and mandates removing individuals from the streets for treatment, the system faces a critical issue of limited capacity and long waiting lists. Private requests for treatment further add to the backlog, leaving the NDA unable to keep pace. 

A drug rehabilitation program typically lasts for three months. Hence, there is always a three month gap between the centre being able to accept new patients. 

Rashid stated that the facilities are not yet in a condition to immediately admit patients and provide treatment. 

Rashid explained that a significant number of admissions are driven by parental requests, yet nearly all of these patients fail to complete their programs. As a result, the NDA plans to place greater emphasis on the patient's own motivation and willingness to seek treatment. 

Ahmed Siddeeq, State Minister at Homeland Security and NDA Chairperson, stated that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has made tackling the drug issue a top priority, which includes renovating treatment centres and focusing on those most in need of care. 

"Even before this, the country had Maldivian governments. But if they had sincerely worked to tackle this issue, we would not be seeing this shortage today," Siddeeq opined. 

Even to date, the only people actively working towards drug rehabilitation in the country is the private NGO 'Journey', which was formed back in 2004, Rashid said. 

"The people working in this field are so scarce, they can easily be counted on two hands. And especially, there are no such persons within the community. A generation has been ruined," Rashid said. 

Rashid emphasized the need to build people to work against drugs and in drug rehabilitation. He announced that efforts to do so would be commenced within the year. 

"We do have a lot of staff. But clinical staff, who will directly face the patients and work with them are relatively low. So we are in need of a lot of people to work in this field. Along with that, we need people to work within the community. This role can most ideally be fulfilled by organizations (such as Journey)," Rashid said. 

Siddeeq highlighted that a lot of headway in these efforts would be seen within the year, including the establishment of 'Hope Island' facility. 

"The government is working with good intentions. They are establishing facilities to achieve this. They are developing infrastructure. Major changes have been brought to the operation of the NDA as well. All of this indicates the government's good will," Siddeeq said.