The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology is gearing up to conduct a pilot study to identify the types of drugs used in the Maldives.
This is a study to gather information in identifying the current situation in order to properly configure drug treatment and rehabilitation mechanisms.
A similar study was last conducted in 2022.
The Minister of State for Homeland Security and Technology and Chairperson of the National Drug Agency (NDA) Lubna Zahir said in an interview with PSM, drugs and substance abuse has dramatically evolved in the past few years.
According to Lubna, 10 years ago, heroin and cannabis were the most common drugs abused in the Maldives, but in recent years, synthetic or chemical drugs have become more common.
Most drug users test positive for more than three types of drugs in their system, she said.
Lubna said a pilot study is being prepared to identify the types of narcotic substances used by drug users. The main purpose of this study, according to Lubna, is to identify addicts and mould treatment and rehabilitation programmes to effectively help them kick the addiction.
"People who come into NDA treatment clinics, test positive for at least three types of drugs. Some people are positive for seven to nine substances. This is a major concern. So their treatment programme needs to be shaped based on this,” she explained.
Lubna said the testing capability at such facilities has now been strengthened adding that urine testing panels can test 14 types of narcotics at once and the tests required for the study will be conducted using this testing panel.
Lubna said the study will gather information and data from a sample size of about 1,000 people.
"We will test 500-1,000 people in the pilot testing. Initially, we will collect and study samples of 150 people. Doctors, nurses and counselors will be involved,” she explained.
The study will include patients currently undertaking NDA treatment and subsequent random sampling. Lubna said such an initiative would help identify future tweaks and shape treatment programmes to reduce drug overdose.