Limited resources hinder drug rehabilitation in outer islands: MPS
Outer island remand centers lack adequate rehabilitation resources leading to incomplete treatment and repeat offenders returning to society
Senior police officers during the opening of a new police station on an outlying island
The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has revealed that authorities across outer islands are struggling to provide comprehensive drug rehabilitation services in remand centers due to limited resources and facilities, officials report.
During an online press briefing on Monday detailing police operations in the southern atolls, South Region Commander Ahmed Shameem highlighted multiple challenges facing law enforcement in these remote areas, identifying resource limitations as the most pressing issue.
Shameem pointed out that repeat offenders remain a significant problem. Although rehabilitation services are provided in remand centers, the arrangements are inadequate for the number of individuals requiring treatment. As a result, many offenders are released back into society without completing proper rehabilitation, a situation Shameem described as deeply concerning.
Experts warn that this incomplete rehabilitation poses long-term risks to society. Individuals released without full treatment are more likely to reoffend, perpetuating the cycle of drug-related crime and making community-level drug problems increasingly difficult to address. This gap in the system is seen as a major obstacle to broader efforts to break the cycle of crime.
In addition to limited rehabilitation facilities, Shameem identified a shortage of investigators as a critical challenge for police in the outer islands. Each investigator is responsible for numerous cases, leading to delays in investigations and hampering the effectiveness of law enforcement. While efforts are underway to address the shortage, current resources make it difficult to manage the caseload efficiently.
The challenges outlined by Shameem underscore the urgent need to strengthen resources in the outer islands’ legal and law enforcement systems. Police officials consider increasing the number of investigators and expanding remand center facilities as immediate priorities to improve rehabilitation outcomes and reduce the risk of repeat offenses.
