Space at rehab can only be increased if we can use Asseyri prison: NDA

The National Drug Agency (NDA) has said that the space problem at the Himmafushi Drug Rehabilitation Centre can only be solved if they are allowed to use the adjacent building, Asseyri prison.

Twenty four people eligible for drug treatment were sent to prison on 30 April due to lack of space at Himmafushi Rehab, operated by NDA.

Board Member of NDA Mohamed Zubair said today that discussions are ongoing with relevant government authorities to get access to Asseyri prison, and if these efforts are successful, it would also alleviate some problems faced by the government due to budget difficulties.

He said that if Asseyri prison can be used, there would be enough space for people who voluntarily sign up for rehab as well as for the people who are presently in prison.

“We would make great progress if we get Asseyri. That would open the intake unit door and thus treatment for everyone. It’s not the centre that’s full. Then we can have separate quarters for women as well. Similarly, the easiest way for the government to solve this problem, given the budget difficulties, is by giving us Asseyri. The least expensive way to do this is to let us use Asseyri,” he said.

Minister of State for Health, Chairperson of NDA Lubna Mohamed Zahir also said that the centre is not full; rather, the problem is that the centre’s intake unit is full. She said that only the people who complete the intake unit’s 14-day detoxification treatment can participate in the centre’s official treatment.

Privatisation has been announced for rehabs in Maldives, and Zuhair said that several groups have expressed interest in this regard, including a group called The Cabin from Chiang Mai, Thailand. Officials of The Cabin will visit the Maldives in June and hold discussions with relevant authorities.