National Drug Agency (NDA) has assured that it will assist any addict that is seeking help voluntarily.
At a press conference, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Imad Latheef said NDA’s highest priority for the past three months was increasing the capacity of drug rehabilitation centres. He noted that a drug treatment and rehabilitation for women has been opened in Hulhumale’ and that centres in Addu City and other islands have been improved and are now accepting more patients and providing different types of treatment.
CEO Imad said that NDA aims to assist drug addicts overcome their addiction and return to their community and that the agency will always assist those who seek help on their own accord. He expressed concern that centres mostly have patients that chose rehabilitation over spending time in prison. He highlighted the importance of assisting addicts who choose rehabilitation voluntarily.
Additionally, CEO Imad said that major legal changes need to be made to provide better treatment for addicts and convicts. As such, NDA is holding discussions with the Attorney General’s Office to formulate the relevant laws.
NDA assessed 727 individuals as of 2022. A total of 612 individuals were mandated by the court to seek rehabilitation and 117 chose rehabilitation voluntarily. During this period, 255 individuals completed their rehabilitation.