Government must completely overhaul its current approach to addressing drug crisis: Shamau
20 އޮކްޓޯބަރު 2026 | އަންގާރަ 15:04The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called on the government to shift from its current punitive approach to drug enforcement toward a public health-centered strategy that prioritizes a robust rehabilitation system. Speaking at a press conference, Shamaau Shareef emphasized that a permanent solution to the drug crisis cannot be achieved solely through arrests, noting that the government's failure to implement established plans and standard operating procedures has hindered progress.
Shamau Shareef, Vice Chairperson of the MDP’s Public Protection Committee. | RaajjeMV
Shamau Shareef, Deputy Chair of the MDP’s Public Protection Committee, has stated that the drug crisis can only be resolved by strengthening the rehabilitation system, adding that the current administration must fundamentally shift its approach.
Shamau made these remarks during a press conference held by the MDP's Public Protection Committee on Tuesday. He noted that significant issues arise when the authority to formulate regulations and policies regarding narcotics is vested solely in the Minister.
Highlighting that drug-related issues are typically addressed through a public health lens, Shamau stated that this administration instead favors a hardline approach similar to that of countries like China and the Philippines. He characterized this strategy as attempting to resolve the issue through extrajudicial measures and state-sanctioned violence. Furthermore, Shamau pointed out that despite the thousands of lives lost in the Philippines under such policies, the drug problem remains unresolved.
We have already formulated a central collaboration plan that requires all relevant agencies to work in tandem. These are comprehensive documents that clearly outline the responsibilities of every institution. Alongside this, we have mapped out exactly how facilities should be operated, and established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the entire National Drug Agency (NDA) and the broader system, extending all the way to procedural manuals. There are also specific plans and SOPs detailing how doctors must operate. Despite the existence of these established frameworks, if a Minister chooses to ignore them entirely and attempts to overhaul regulations on a whim, without due process, the outcome will inevitably be flawed.Shamau Shareef
Shamau stated that successful nations address the drug crisis through a health-centered approach, extending a hand of compassion to those affected.
At the same time, Shamau urged the government to implement previously established plans. He stated that the issue cannot be resolved simply by generating headlines about arrests and drug seizures without following through on these strategic frameworks.
Shamau stated that the drug crisis cannot be resolved simply by making arrests and filling up prisons; instead, a solution can only be achieved by strengthening the rehabilitation system. Furthermore, he highlighted that five out of every ten families in the Maldives are currently suffering from the impacts of drug addiction.
