The National Drug Agency (NDA) has launched its new “Community Reintegration” program in more than 100 islands across the Maldives, marking a major shift toward decentralised, home-based treatment for individuals struggling with drug addiction.
The program, introduced as part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s broader push to bring essential services closer to communities, aims to support individuals in their recovery journey without requiring them to be admitted to a rehabilitation center. Instead, treatment is administered locally with the support of Island Councils and health facilities, allowing patients to undergo detoxification and reintegration while remaining in their familiar environments.
According to the NDA, the service is already active in over 100 islands and will soon be introduced at existing drug rehabilitation centers nationwide. In the Greater Malé Area, the program is currently operational at four locations.
“This is a significant step toward decentralising drug rehabilitation services and ensuring they are accessible to all communities,” said an official from the NDA. “Our aim is to help individuals recover in a supportive, community-based setting.”
The Community Reintegration program is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the Maldives and represents a shift in how the government addresses substance abuse—focusing not only on treatment but also on long-term social reintegration.
Currently, six rehabilitation centers operate across the country, with plans underway to expand capacity in response to increasing demand. One of the key efforts includes the expansion of the Himmafushi Drug Rehabilitation Centre, which serves as a major hub for addiction recovery services.
Officials say that through a combination of medical detox, psychosocial support, and collaboration with local governance bodies, the initiative aims to reduce relapse rates and strengthen community support systems for recovering individuals.
