Rehab treatment without incarceration: President

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday, assured drug rehabilitation patients will receive treatment without facing retrospective incarceration.

At the Q&A Program, 'Raeesge Javab', a member of the public raised concerns on the lack of opportunities for victims to complete drug rehabilitation treatment.

"When the patient has voluntarily participated in methadone treatment, they are being formed by the court for rehab retrospectively, for a previous case. The patient is then forced to leave their employment to seek court-ordered rehabilitation," the local questioned.

In response, President Muizzu agreed the procedure under methadone treatment requires amendment to ensuring its voluntary patients do not receive retrospective rehabilitation treatment under incarceration.

He promised to inform the matter to Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology and other relevant agencies to seek prompt solutions.

"The highlighted procedure will be amended to improve the mechanism, I will inform [relevant bodies] to ensure continued treatement for patients through legal parameters," President Muizzu added.

To combat the rise of drug abuse, the current government had earlier announced it would develop rehabilitation centers across the Maldives.