Vice President Faisal Naseem has emphasised the value placed by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration to increase the youth’s contribution towards national development, by giving them positive direction and providing them with opportunities.
The Vice President made the remarks speaking after breaking ground of the project to develop a Drug Detoxification and Community Rehabilitation Centre in Hulhumeedhoo Ward, Addu City.
Speaking about the prevalence of illicit drug use among youth, the Vice President described it as one of the top predicaments facing the nation’s youth today. He characterised drug abuse as a menace that severely compromises people’s well-being and productivity. He noted it also has a substantial negative impact on the development work done by the government.
The Vice President then spoke about the administration’s plan to rescue those youths who have become victim to drug abuse, to treat them and return them to the community as successful individuals capable of contributing to national development. In this context, he said that treating drug-involved offenders provides a unique opportunity to decrease substance abuse and reduce criminal behaviour.
Once established, the Drug Detoxification and Community Rehabilitation Centre will accentuate the administration’s efforts towards shaping the role and increasing the contribution of youth to national development.