News Desk
Male’ — In an effort to strengthen rehabilitation programs for drug users, the Home Ministry announced a new partnership between the National Drug Agency (NDA) and the Indian Cultural Center, in Male’ on Sunday. The initiative seeks to integrate physical and mental health exercises into the NDA’s treatment framework, marking a shift toward a more holistic approach to recovery.
The ministry said the discussions centered on transforming the drug treatment system into a comprehensive health care model, prioritizing mental and physical well-being for patients who have completed detoxification. By incorporating culturally rooted practices, such as yoga and mindfulness exercises, the partnership aims to address the psychological and emotional challenges of addiction, complementing existing medical interventions.
The NDA, which has intensified its campaign against substance abuse in recent years, emphasized the role of community engagement in its mission. The agency recently introduced a volunteer peer worker program, inviting recovered individuals to guide others toward sobriety. The initiative, which has drawn significant interest, underscores the NDA’s commitment to building a supportive rehabilitation ecosystem.
To qualify as a peer worker, candidates must have completed at least a seventh-grade education and maintained sustained sobriety. The agency is recruiting thirty volunteers, urging those dedicated to helping others to join the effort.
“This collaboration with the Indian Cultural Center is a step toward reimagining recovery,” said an NDA spokesperson. “We are not only treating addiction but also rebuilding lives.”
The Home Ministry highlighted that the partnership is part of a broader strategy to combat Maldives’s growing drug crisis. As the program takes shape, the NDA is calling on citizens to support the cause, encouraging volunteers and advocates to contribute to the fight against addiction.
