Addicts begging on streets to be transferred to remand centre

The government has launched an operation to confine individuals with substance abuse disorders who beg on the streets and provide them with treatment at a rehabilitation center.

Speaking at a press conference held this morning at the President's Office, Homeland Security and Technology Minister, Ali Ihusan said that they are prepared to commence a special programme to identify and treat homeless persons with substance abuse disorders who are out begging on the streets.

"From this evening onwards, we will be targeting the market areas of the Male' and pick up such individuals and provide them with treatment at the remand centres. And we will identify why they are homeless, and attempt to remedy the situation," the minister detailed.

Currently Maldives National Drug Agency (NDA) provides both residential and non-residential treatment. Residential treatment centres include the therapeutic community rehabilitation centre, residential detox and semi residential facility as well as the remand centre in Kaafu atoll's Himmafushi island. There are also detox facilities in Addu City, Fuvahmulah, and Gaafu Dhaalu atoll Thinadhoo as well.

As of now, the total bed capacity of these facilities is at 350.

NDA's acting CEO Mohamed Rashid that the global best practice is to treat persons with substance use disorders by keeping them within their family environment. However, if such an environment is not available, a semi residential programme would be the next option with confined treatment being the last option depending on the patient's situation.

However, he highlighted that the situation in Maldives is starkly different, and that he does not believe adequate results would come out of treatment in small islands where everyone knows everyone.

He also noted that there are no individuals in the community available to help such persons.

"Here we are, where our children [patients] aren't even allowed back home. There are no centers, facilities, or supportive friends in the community to treat patients in the situation I just mentioned, especially in emergency circumstances," he further said.

For this reason, Rashid said he believes it is important to help patients develop good habits by keeping them temporarily confined for treatment.