MP Hassan Latheef: International expertise needed to save Maldives from the scourge of drugs

MDP chairperson, West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef states that Maldives requires assistance from international experts in order to save the country from the scourge of drugs.

Parliament’s Petition Committee has prepared a details report after visiting rehabilitation and detoxification centers across Maldives in response to the ‘Change NDA’ petition submitted by Hands Together – an NGO that advocates for better rehabilitation services for drug addicts.  

The report was presented at the Parliament on Monday morning.

Taking part in the debate on the report, Hassan Latheef said that the committee’s findings show Maldives requires a holistic solution to the issue.

“The need for a holistic solution is very clear, from the point drugs are smuggled in, from the point the drugs are abused, the efforts needed to prevent drug abuse, the policy for rehabilitation after drug abuse, and everything,” he said.

Hassan Latheef noted that the current drug situation in Maldives is drastically different from when drugs first started getting smuggled into the country, and that the treatment also need major reforms.

He said that it was important to seek assistance from international experts “in order to do what Maldivians don’t know how to do”.

“We cannot save Maldives now unless with assistance from international experts,” he said.

“It should be the government which establishes standards, protocols and regulations for treatment. I’m not talking about stopping doing this. But I don’t see this getting done without assigning the provision of treatment to people with the technical expertise and experience,” he said.

Many of the parliamentarians who took part in the debate commended the committee for its work, and spoke in support of the 10 recommendations made on the report.

Many parliamentarians also called on authorities to boost the number of Maldivian counselors, and provide them with necessary training to improve their services.