President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that saving the Maldives from the scourge of drug abuse is the duty of every citizen.

President Solih said this at the event held on Saturday to inaugurate Open Day 2019 organised by the National Drug Agency (NDA).

President Solih said it should be the common goal of the whole community to ensure a drug-free Maldives and that his administration’s policies are centered on combating drug trafficking, and providing treatment and rehabilitation for addicts.

At the event, the President also announced the administration’s decision to develop a drug offender remand centre in Gulhifalhu Island in Malé Atoll, as stipulated in the Drug Act, to motivate drug-dependent persons to treatment and rehabilitation programmes and facilitate their reintegration into the community. He revealed that the administration was in the process of proposing progressive amendments to drug laws, which he hoped to submit to Parliament later this year.

He highlighted the challenges of providing proper treatment for juvenile drug abuse and delinquency since it requeres special attention and dedicated remand and rehabilitation centres. He said that work to establish such a centre will commence later this year, along with training of personnel who will provide the necessary training and education to allow for successful reintegration into society.

President Solih said that the administration's decision was to relocate and provide better facilities for the agency in Hulhumalé and that the new facilities will include a modern detox clinic, laboratory services, a national research institute, free-counselling facilities and a business centre.

He further highlighted the work of law enforcement agencies and urged them to strengthen their resolve and stance on combatting substance abuse and drug trafficking.

During the event, President Solih also officially unveiled the statistics book published by NDA.