Detoxification centres will stay open despite the upcoming launch of community rehabilitation treatment for substance use disorders, stated Minister of State for Homeland Security and Technology Lubna Mohamed Zahir Hussain. In an interview with PSM News, Hussain, who also chairs the National Drug Agency (NDA), underscored that these centres play a crucial role by providing medically managed withdrawal services that safely mitigate drug withdrawal symptoms, stabilising patients and preparing them for continued care.
Drug abuse remains a widespread social issue with far-reaching consequences for the entire community. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to tackle substance abuse comprehensively, identifying community rehabilitation treatment as a crucial component in this significant endeavour. This model utilises community resources, providing an outpatient setting that is accessible and empowering.
The NDA has announced its readiness to launch community rehabilitation treatment services. The Ministry of Health has granted all necessary permissions, with State Minister Hussain noting that in the outer islands, treatment will be administered with the support of local medical doctors. Treatment for drug abusers typically begins with detoxification, she explained, which is a medically-assisted process involving doctors and medication.
State Minister Hussain elaborated that this medically-assisted treatment involves a concerted effort between doctors and the utilisation of medication. "If parents are unable to manage their children [suffering from drug abuse disorders], they may not qualify for at-home treatment," she stated. "Following an evaluation of both the parents' and child's preferences, we intend to employ methods such as placing the children under state care, encouraging them to attend dedicated treatment centres, or enrolling them in treatment programmes."
She reassured that despite the commencement of community rehabilitation treatment, detoxification centres will remain operational. Currently, these centres utilise methadone, a long-acting opioid, to manage opioid use disorders by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings without causing euphoria. For community-based or at-home rehabilitation treatment, doctors will prescribe buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings and improves safety in cases of overdose.
State Minister Hussain stressed that individuals with substance use disorders will not be forcibly treated, highlighting that treatment will be administered based on an assessment process. This approach aims to enhance treatment programmes while expanding opportunities to treat more individuals. She also underscored the critical need to strengthen psychosocial support systems to ensure the success of community rehabilitation treatment.
State Minister Hussain added that capacity-building and training for personnel providing psychosocial support are actively taking place, with particular focus on civil society organisations offering recovery assistance. She stressed the crucial role of NGOs (non-governmental organisations) in this effort, stating, "We urgently need NGOs that can provide recovery support services and assist us in our efforts to combat drug abuse as part of community rehabilitation treatment." The NDA board is currently working on developing financial support mechanisms for these NGOs, with significant backing from the President, she noted.
As authorities finalise preparations for community rehabilitation treatment, detoxification centres are grappling with space constraints, leading to delays in treatment programmes and a growing queue of individuals sentenced to treatment. To address these issues, officials are undertaking a restructuring of the centres and their operations to strengthen the treatment system.