National Drug Agency (NDA) has begun providing services at the drug treatment and rehabilitation centre for women in Hulhumale' as part of the efforts to find a sustainable solution to the drug problem in the Maldives. The halfway centre was inaugurated by the Minister of the President's Office and Vice Chairman of the Social Council Dr. Mustafa Lutfi on November 13.
NDA has already run a similar centre previously. However, the centre was closed due to poor operation and reopened with the assistance of Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). NDA stated that the newly established centre will conduct treatment programmes based on scientific findings and designed with the assistance of professional experts.
The halfway centre will accommodate 58 men and 20 women. The number of male clients will increase to 86 in the future. A total of six women have been transferred from the rehabilitation centre in Himmafushi to the centre in Hulhumale'. As such, two of the clients will participate in the reintegration programme while the other four will be determined based on their exit plans and their treatment plans will be reviewed with the clients.
The halfway centre in Hulhumale' will provide detoxification services, long-term rehabilitation services and community outreach to women receiving treatment. These programmes include various therapeutic group sessions designed specifically for women in-house, life skills and parenting skills. In addition, the centre will also provide counselling services, family counselling, psychosocial education, and life skills to men who are treated and help them learn life skills to strengthen their relationships with their families. Furthermore, NDA expects about 10 women and 15 men to be initiated into the programme by the end of this month. The centre is currently providing services to 76 men and two women.