National Drug Agency (NDA)’s Chairperson Lubna Zahir states around 200 addicts from various parts of the country have so far been placed in remand centres, with majority of them enrolled in rehabilitation programs.
Remand centres are facilities where individuals suspected of drug-related offenses are held during their trial period. While in remand, they receive basic treatment as needed.
Speaking during PSM’s ‘Raajje Maidhu’ program, Lubna said approximately 178 people from addicts placed in remand centres are undergoing treatment at present.
“Majority of the people selected for treatment in remand have been enrolled in rehabilitation treatment plans. This means they have been sentenced to treatment via Drug Court,” she explained.
Lubna said the small percentage of people who have not yet been enrolled in treatment is because their cases are still pending in Criminal Court. She added that their treatment will commence as soon as their cases conclude.
“The most crucial aspect of enrolling people placed in remand in treatment is to ensure they are reintegrated into society as upstanding individuals through long-term treatment,” she said.
Lubna, citing most individuals taken into remand centres are individuals identified as addicts on the streets, said efforts are also underway to take those reported by families for drug use at homes where children live into remand centres.
She stressed that many such reports are received from both Male’ area and atolls.
Three rehabilitation centres have recently been transformed into remand centres with arrangements to treat detainees. They include:
GDh. Thinadhoo Drug Detoxification and Community Rehabilitation Centre
Gn. Fuvahmulah Drug Detoxification and Community Rehabilitation Centre
S. Hulhudhoo Vilunu Centre
NDA, in collaboration with Police, commenced efforts to detain and rehabilitate addicts who are active on the streets on October 20th. Prior to this, the Police had stated that addicts who beg on the streets, engage in crimes like theft and robbery, or sleep in mosques would be detained and taken to remand centers as part of these efforts.