News Desk
Male’, Maldives — A surge in dangerous party drugs like mephedrone and synthetic opioids has taken hold in the country, prompting an urgent warning from the National Drug Agency about rising addiction and crime among the nation’s youth. The crisis, amplified by a growing nightlife scene and viral social media images of disoriented users, has sparked alarm in this conservative Muslim country, where narcotics are strictly prohibited.
The National Drug Agency issued a statement on Saturday urging the public to avoid party drugs, alcohol, and other substances linked to criminal activity. The alert follows a wave of drug-fueled gatherings in the capital, Malé, and some rural atolls, where synthetic drugs like mephedrone—known as “meow meow” or “M-CAT”—and “China White,” a potent synthetic opioid, have gained traction among young people.
“Party drugs and alcohol are being used at alarming rates,” the agency said, citing addiction, health crises, and violent incidents tied to the trend. “Many youths seeking treatment began using these drugs recreationally, only to face severe mental and physical consequences.”
Mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant first synthesized in 1929 but popularized in the early 2000s, delivers euphoric highs but can cause paranoia, heart palpitations, and severe overheating. Its disorienting effects have led some to call it the “zombie drug,” a term echoed in Maldivian social media posts showing intoxicated individuals staggering through Malé’s streets or collapsing in rural areas. The images, shared widely online, have fueled public outrage and prompted the Maldives Police Service to collaborate with the agency on a crackdown.
The rise of synthetic drugs poses unique challenges in the Maldives. While alcohol is available at tourist resorts, its use is tightly regulated for locals, and narcotics are banned.
The agency’s warning highlighted the dangers of synthetic cathinones like mephedrone, which mimic the effects of cocaine or ecstasy but are frequently tweaked to evade drug laws. Injecting these drugs—a growing trend among some users—raises the risk of infections like hepatitis C and HIV, with many addicts already grappling with these diseases, the agency noted.
The Maldives’ struggle mirrors global trends. In the United Kingdom, where mephedrone was banned in 2010 after being linked to dozens of deaths, according to a 2010 Home Office report, production has shifted to clandestine labs in Asia. A 2024 report by TRM Labs, a blockchain analysis firm, found that manufacturers supplying chemicals for mephedrone and other synthetics earned $26 million in U.S. dollars in cryptocurrency in 2023, a 600 percent increase from the previous year.
The agency’s alert comes after an outreach program in Malé from Feb. 24 to 25, conducted with local organizations, revealed “worrying levels” of drug use, associated crime, and underage involvement. “We found young people, including children under 18, exposed to these risks,” the agency said, announcing plans for further programs to assess the crisis’s scope.
To combat the epidemic, the government is expanding addiction treatment services and public awareness campaigns. The agency urged those struggling with substance abuse to seek help, providing contact information for the national emergency hotline (911) and its (1410) support line.
