Young man tells court he bought drugs due to depression, was stopped before use

A young man informed the Criminal Court that his acquisition of illicit substances was a consequence of his struggle with depression; however, he was apprehended by law enforcement before he could consume them.

A 21-year-old male appeared before the Criminal Court on Saturday, facing charges of substance use and possession.

The defendant asserted to the court that he is not a substance abuser. Nevertheless, he attributed the possession of the illicit substances, for which he was arrested, to his depressive state.

He further testified that police intervention occurred before he could misuse the substances.

His court order indicated a negative result for illicit substances in his urine analysis.

The Criminal Court opted to release him conditionally. While evidence suggests he committed the alleged offense, his lack of prior criminal record led the court to determine that further custody was unnecessary.

The specific conditions imposed upon him were not detailed in the verdict.

Numerous young individuals are contending with depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, with many instances demonstrating a clear correlation between substance use and mental illness.

The incidence of mental illness is increasing in the Maldives. According to the World Health Organization’s 2022 STEPS Survey on Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors, nearly one in five Maldivians have experienced symptoms consistent with depression.

Substance use remains a significant societal issue in the Maldives, with 1,451 drug-related cases reported thus far this year.