Minister of State for Homeland Security and Technology and Chairman of the National Drug Agency (NDA) Uz Ahmed Siddeeq has said the Government expects to see positive results this year from measures taken to curb drug smuggling and strengthen the national drug treatment system.

Speaking to State Media, Siddeeq said the drug issue remains a long-standing social challenge in the Maldives, adding that addressing it through sustainable solutions is a key priority of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s domestic and social policy agenda.

He said there are an estimated 10,000 drug users in the Maldives, including young people, adults and children, describing the scale of drug use as a serious national concern. He noted that the Government is approaching the issue through both prevention and rehabilitation, alongside efforts to disrupt drug trafficking.

According to Siddeeq, nine drug rehabilitation centres are currently operating across the country, with additional facilities under development, including centres in Noonu and Lhaviyani atolls. He said the expansion aims to reduce reliance on Malé City for treatment services by decentralising care and making rehabilitation more accessible to communities.

He also said reforms have been introduced to the drug rehabilitation system, shifting it from a treatment-only model to a more comprehensive approach that includes education, skills training and reintegration support to help recovering users return to society.

Siddeeq expressed confidence that enhanced border controls, enforcement efforts and improvements to the treatment system would begin to show tangible outcomes in 2026. He added that the police and other authorities continue to work to curb drug trafficking as part of efforts to address drug abuse and its social impact.