President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that punishment is not a solution to help victims of substance abuse, noting that the government has an action plan crafted specifically to address these issues.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Laamu Gan Central Power Plant, Laamu Gan Zone Stadium, and the CT scan service at Laamu Gan Regional Hospital, the President spoke about rehabilitating and reintegrating victims of substance abuse back into society. The President said that punishment is not a solution to help victims of substance abuse, and to help victims of substance abuse, especially youth, the government has an action plan specifically to address these issues.

“This has been a pending issue that has not been addressed for many years. I believe that punishment is not a solution to address the issue, and the government continues to work on constructive plans to help victims of substance abuse, especially youth,” said President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

In addition, the President noted that the government’s action plan will address these issues through campaigns aimed at reducing youth drug usage, halting drug-smuggling networks in prisons, establishing more rehabilitation facilities, and ensuring that the Maldives is never used as a transit point for drug-trafficking.