Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed has called for a concerted effort to map the future prevention of drug abuse in the Maldives.
He said “to prevent drug abuse, from adolescents to elderly members of the community, we must put emphasis on coordination, collaboration and sustained efforts between its implementing partners.”
He noted that “although past and existing efforts in delivering prevention activities are widespread and diligent, what appears to be lacking is a current national strategy.”
He made the remarks at the opening of the National Drug Use Prevention, Mapping and Planning Workshop, organized with the aid of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) which was held today at Aarah.
Speaking on the drug epidemic across the country, the Vice President noted that the government agencies, partners and stakeholders and the civil society sector have been closely working to reduce the impact of drug abuse on the community.
“However, the prevalence of drug abuse has continued due to the large percentage of Maldivian drug addicts,” he added.
In his remarks, the Vice President referred to the positive increase in the enrollment figures at the Hinnmafushi Rehabilitation Center, the Treatment Committee formed to address the cases of drug abuse by prison inmates and the detoxification centers established in Addoo City and Villingili.
The Drug Prevention Mapping and Planning Workshop is aimed to develop a more coordinated and collaborative national programme and schedule of activities for 2011 to 2012 through the development and introduction of a seven-pillar work plan whereby each pillar places targeted emphasis on a priority sub-group, vulnerable to drug use.
