Hospitals in 5 regions to begin drug addiction treatment
"... When a person goes to the hospital with a heart-attack, we don't ask what his criminal background is," Imad said.
By
Shahudha Mohamed
National Drug Agency (NDA) CEO Imad Solih said on Monday that community-based treatment programmes in collaboration with hospitals and health centres will be launched in five regions of the country this year as part of efforts to find a sustainable solution to the drug addiction problem.
Amid growing public complaints against the NDA, Imad was appointed CEO in November to streamline the NDA’s governance and improve its treatment programmes.
Addressing a press conference on behalf of the NDA to brief the media about the work done so far after assuming office, Imad said the priority was to "address the issue of drug addiction through a public health approach".
Since drug abuse is a health problem as is established globally, the system needs to be changed so that hospitals and health centres can treat it, Imad said.
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Efforts are underway to start similar treatment programmes in five parts of the country this year
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First, the programme will begin in HDh. Kulhudhuffushi hospital
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NDA staff are making preparations for assessments to start treatment programmes in the island
The NDA has also made efforts to increase the number of patients who can be treated, Imad said. He pointed out:
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From places that used to hire six patients earlier, 15 patients can now be picked up at the same time
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The treatment centre in Gulhifalhu has now been shifted to the main center in K. Himmafushi and the number of patients treated has been increased from 10 to 21
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Imad said efforts are underway to increase the number of patients treated with methadone dispensation in the Male area from 80 to 250 in the near future; with this, the waitlist will get a major relief
"The idea that our current world has accepted is that addiction is like any other health problem, a disease. Especially if someone seems to have reached a point where drug abuse becomes an addiction, they should be helped to get out of it," Imad said.
"So, in the case of drugs, if a person with addiction issues want to recover, and if he knocks the NDA door, then this door will be open for him. We are not going to close that door."
Imad said that various types of treatments are currently being offered in the country. These include:
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Detoxification: treatment for removing drugs from the body
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In-house treatment programme: Long-term client-based treatment at the main rehabilitation centre in K. Himmafushi; the duration of treatment will be determined based on assessment
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Community-based treatment programme: A treatment programme that is carried out in all aspects of life, working, and in the community.
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Methadone maintenance treatment: a treatment program for heroin survivors
In response to a reporter's question, Imad noted how there was speculation that treatment programmes are being used as a cover to avoid imprisonment, adding that committing a crime or having a criminal record was not a reason for a person to be removed or not admitted for treatment.
"... When a person goes to the hospital with a heart-attack, we don't ask what his criminal background is," Imad said, adding that in the same view, if treatment is the solution to the drug problem, then he should be served on the same basis and that opportunity should be available to him.
