Malé, Maldives — Lubna Mohamed Zahir Hussain, Chairperson of the National Drug Agency (NDA), announced that the number of drug overdoses in the Maldives has declined significantly following increased efforts to remand drug users into treatment centers.

In an interview with state media PSM, Lubna revealed that when the current government assumed control of the NDA, over 700 individuals were sentenced to treatment. This number has since been reduced to 150, reflecting the agency’s intensified focus on managing drug-related issues more effectively.

Lubna highlighted the challenges faced by the NDA, noting that while the judicial system sentences drug offenders daily, the treatment facilities are not large enough to accommodate new patients at the same pace. Nevertheless, she emphasized that the NDA is committed to admitting individuals for treatment as quickly as possible.

To expedite the admission process, the NDA board has established a special task force dedicated to managing this effort. Lubna confirmed that more than 100 drug users have already been admitted into the treatment system through these initiatives.

“All these individuals are taken from the streets of Malé, homes, and other islands. Previously, our focus was on the Greater Malé Area, but we are now extending our reach to other islands in the Maldives. When we take them into remand, the number of overdoses decreases,” said Lubna.

The NDA, in collaboration with the Maldives Police Service, launched a special operation on October 22, 2024, aimed at integrating drug users into the treatment system. The operation targets individuals found begging on the streets, involved in theft and robbery, intoxicated in public spaces, and homeless individuals sleeping in mosques.

While no end date has been specified for the operation, it continues to play a crucial role in the government’s broader strategy to combat the drug epidemic. Drug offender remand and treatment centers are currently operational in K. Himmafushi and Hulhumalé.

The government has reiterated that addressing the drug crisis remains one of its highest social priorities, with ongoing efforts to ensure the well-being and recovery of affected individuals across the Maldives.