The Chairperson of the National Drug Agency (NDA), Lubna Zahir, has announced plans to train addiction counselors to support individuals struggling with drug addiction throughout the Maldives. The initiative follows discussions with the Health Ministry and Allied Insurance and aims to establish trained counselors in every inhabited island to address the widespread impact of drug addiction in communities.

The training program will primarily be conducted online, with select sessions requiring in-person attendance. While no specific timeline has been announced, Lubna expressed the agency’s commitment to implementing this initiative. “We are committed to placing addiction counselors in every island of the Maldives, God willing,” said Lubna, who also serves as the State Minister of the Home Ministry.

Lubna also highlighted efforts to revive the National Institute for Research and Addictions Studies, which has remained inactive for 12 years. Plans are underway to expand the institute’s operations by conducting essential research on drug use in the Maldives, leveraging existing NDA data.

Mohamed Rashid, NDA’s Acting CEO, emphasized the agency’s approach to reintegrating drug-affected individuals into their communities. Collaborations with the Health Ministry and Allied Insurance are being explored to address resource gaps, including offering outpatient services for drug users through existing health facilities.

Legal measures will also be taken against individuals who fail to comply with treatment protocols, Rashid stated.

Research indicates that approximately 7,500 individuals use drugs in the Maldives, with drug use prevalent in every inhabited island and a high relapse rate among those undergoing treatment.

The NDA’s initiative to train counselors and enhance treatment frameworks reflects its broader strategy to combat addiction and provide long-term support to affected individuals across the nation.