Home Minister vows to establish a comprehensive rehabilitative mechanism

Home Minister Imran Abdulla said Tuesday that the government would establish a comprehensive rehabilitative mechanism based on the extent of drug addiction in Maldives.

He made the remark while speaking at the ceremony in Maafushi Prison to mark the closing of the first prison-based drug rehab program by Maldives Correctional Service (MCS).

Speaking at the ceremony, Imran said the government would enforce the law fairly based on the extent of drug addiction in Maldives, even if it required amendments to existing laws.

Imran said the MCS’s direction had been changed to rehabilitation, and a separate rehabilitation command had been established in the structure.

Addressing the inmates who took part in the drug rehab program, Imran urged them to treat the certificates they received as encouragement, and strive to avoid recidivism.

“Looking at the extent to which drug addiction has spread within this society, we will revise the laws, enforce the laws with fairness and equality, and establish a comprehensive rehabilitative mechanism,” he said.

MCS launched the drug rehabilitation program in February 2022 to provide detoxification and substance abuse treatment, training, and vocational education to drug offenders.

During Tuesday’s ceremony, 32 inmates who completed the program were presented with certificates.