Gender Minister Aishath Mohamed Didi has revealed that the government has decided to resume Methadone Maintenance Therapy to treat drug addicts in the Maldives.
Minister announced the decision in a message conveyed on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Minister Aishtah said Drug abuse is one of the most challenging threats to the Maldives and the whole world. She detailed that efforts to stop drug trafficking and abuse, and providing treatment and rehabilitation has always been ongoing in the Maldives. Since new developments and findings keep emerging, an evidence-based approach is crucial to the efforts, said the minister.
Methadone Therapy is successfully used in several countries in treating drug addicts. The programme was implemented in the Maldives earlier, but was halted three years back in the tenure of former president Yameen Abdul Gayyoom.
“However, with the technical assistance of All India Medical Sciences (AIMS) through the assistance of the Indian government, the discussion have been held to recommence methadone maintenance therapy in September after acquiring the medical supplies from overseas,” said Minister.
Minister said it should not be considered that it is only the government that should combat against the drug abuse but the assistance of individuals and the whole community is needed for the effort.
Rehabilitating drug addicts, and re-integrating them into society is a challenging and huge task, and if all the relevant authorities work together, those who need treatment will not have to wait for long without getting treatment and that we might be able to reach success in combating the issues, said the Minister.
