NEWS

Fire Fighting Workshop Held

Himmafushi, 15 July 2006: A Firefighting workshop was conducted today for the staff of the Drug Rehabilitation Center.   This was a collaborative effort jointly organized by the DRC and Ministry of Defense and National Security.  37 DRC staff members took part in the workshop.  The instructors for the workshop were experts from the Defense Ministry, who took topics such as prevention of fire hazards, fire fighting equipment and their use.

Art Exhibition Prizes Distributed

Male, 7 July 2006:  Prizes were today distributed to the winners of the art exhibition organized by NNCB and the National Art Gallery for students of the secondary schools of Male, in connection with the ‘International Day against Substance Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’.   At a ceremony held at EPS School the prizes were given away by the Chief Guest, Mr. Moosa Ismail, the Executive Director of the Department of Medical Services, a noted photographer himself. 

 The 61 drawings submitted by students of 7 secondary schools in Male of very high quality.  As judged by a panel of judges organized by the National Art Gallery the best 5 among them were submitted by (in random order):

1. Fathmath Sofiya, Aminiyya School

2. Ihusansa Ahmed, Aminiyya School

3. Abid Mohammed, Majeediyya School

4. Aishath Aima Mustapha, Aminiyya School

5. Fathmath Zidna, Aminiyya School.

  Among them the paintings submitted by the following students were placed in the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd position respectively:

1. Aishath Aima Mustapha

2. Fathmath Zidna

3. Fathmath Sofiya Shareef

The viewer’s choice award went to (in random order):

1. Shaaya Shyam

2. Aishath Aima Mustapha

 In his speech on the occasion, Chief Guest Mr. Moosa Ismail stressed the importance of providing parental support to children in order to keep them away from drugs.  Dr. Abdullah Waheed, acting head of NNCB also stressed the importance of providing accurate information to children so that they do not take wrong decisions that they would regret for the rest of their lives.

 The theme of this year’s drug day was “Drugs are not Child’s Play.”  

 

Halfway House Programmes being Revamped

Male, 4 July 2006: UNICEF is to provide technical assistance to strengthen the country response to the drug abuse problem in Maldives. Under this programme, a two week study tour was arranged for drug related professionals and policy makers to observe community based recovery centres in Indonesia.  The UNICEF in conjunction with an Indonesian NGO, Yakita and a local NGO, Journey, are working to strengthen community based programmes at the NNCB Halfway House.  Under this project Yakita will conduct training programmes for atoll based counselors with the help of short term consultants.

  

Drug Free Workplaces Underway

Male, 4 July 2006: National Narcotics Control Bureau has launched a Drug Free Workplace programme to help tourist resorts, trading establishments and government organizations to keep their employees away from drugs.  NNCB is providing lab services for testing urine samples for opiates.  The programme was officially launched at a leading tourist resort where managerial level staff and supervisors were sensitized on the goals and strategies of the drug free workplace. 

 

National Team wins Drug Day football match

Male, 28 June 2006: The National Under-23 Team today beat an NNCB team 6-1 at a special football match held on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.   Ashfag of the Under-23 team was judged the man of the match.  Ashfag, also known as ‘Dhangadey’ is perhaps the country’s top-rated footballer.  In addition to him, the teams also included many of the top rated players in the country.  During the interval Mr. Mauroof Ahnmed (Maattey), Coach of Victory Sports Club and ex-captiion of National Football Team, gave an anti-drug message.  Certificates and prizes warded to the winners and runner-up teams by the Chief Guest, Mr. Abdul Shukoor Chairman of the Football Association of Maldives.

 

Certificates awarded to recovered addicts

Himmafushi, 26 June, 2006: Certificates of recognition were awarded today to 21 ex-addicts who have remained free from drugs for a long period after completing their drug treatment at the DRC.  These young boys and girls are today living happy lives as useful members of the family and of the society for periods varying between 3 to 7 years.

 According to DRC sources, there are many more ex-addicts who continue to live drug free lives.  However, they are reluctant to come out and get certificates for fear of getting stigmatized.  It is also expected that there would be many more drug free youngsters among the hundreds of former clients of DRC, who are not traceable now because of changed addresses and phone numbers.

 

Male 26 June 2006:

TODAY IS INTERNATIONAL DAY

AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING

 

The theme of this year’s drug day is “Drugs are not Child’s Play”.   This is to highlight the growing threat to children from drug abuse.

In his message on the occasion UN Secretary General Kofi Anan says, “Taking drugs or not is about making choices -- informed choices. Yet too many people in the world are badly informed about the potentially devastating effects of drugs. That is why we need to work for better education and greater awareness to prevent drug abuse.”

 

In the Maldives several activities have been planned to mark the drug day:

1.                            Awarding certificates to ex-addicts who have been drug-free on long tern following treatment.  This will take place at a special dinner night at the Drug Rehabilitation center on 26 June.

2.                            Football Match on 28^th June at 8.30 pm, between an NNCB team and FAM team.

3.                            Music Show at Lonuziyaaraykolhu on 29^th night, organized by NGOs including those formed by ex-addicts.

4.                            Art Exhibition for school children at Iskandharu School on 30^th June at 4 pm.

5.                            Telecasting videoed song composed for the occasion.

 

 

Drug Free Work Place certificate given to Rihiveli Beach Resort

Male, 15 May, 2006: At a ceremony held in National Narcotics Control Bureau, Rihiveli Beach Resort was today handed over the certificate of participation in the 'Drug Free Workplace' initiative launched by NNCB.   Head of NNCB Dr. Abdullah Waheed handed over the certificate to Mr. Thomas Fleischer, General Manager of the resort.

Under the drug free workplace program, regular prevention and surveillance activities will be conducted in the resort.  This includes screening of staff and creating awareness among them.

Children's Day marked

Male, May 12, 2006: This year's children's day was marked colorfully at a children's evening organized by VA private limited, in collaboration with Gender Ministry and others.   NNCB also took part in the event, organizing events for children. Other participants included Care Society, the Police, schools, and sports organizations.

NNCB briefs the 11th Atoll Chief’s Meeting

Male, 9 May 2006: The 11th Meeting of the Atoll Chiefs opened today in Male. The meeting was inaugurated by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom at a ceremony held in Dharubaaruge. In his speech he highlighted the role of Atoll Chiefs in supporting the implementation of his reform agenda. The President informed the gathering that democracy would be the legacy he would leave for the nation at the end of his presidency.

NNCB made a presentation at the very first working session of the Meeting held at Nassandhura Palace Hotel. The presentation included a brief on the work of NNCB and its future plans. NNCB officials, Dr. Abdullah Waheed (acting head) Mr. Ahmed Mohammed, Assistant Executive Director, and Ms Asima Thoufeeq, Counselor, took part in the session and answered questions from Atoll Chiefs.

 

Drug Control Team Leaves on Study Tour

Male, 6 May 2006: A team of drug control officials, volunteers, and counselors left today on a study tour to Indonesia sponsored by UNICEF. The team included members of the Advisory Committee on the Legally Mandated Treatment of Drug Abusers, NNCB officials and counselors, members of the ex-addicts NGO ‘Journey’ and a news reporter from Haveeru.

The purpose of the visit is two-fold:
1. Expose participants at the policy level to alternative community based approaches to drug prevention and rehabilitation from a holistic and public health perspective;
2. To provide more in-depth training for counselors from NNCB and others working in the area of drug addiction.

 

NNCB Team Concludes Study Visit to Sri Lanka

Colombo, 5 May 20006: The technical team organized by NNCB to study detention centers in Sri Lanka for delinquent youth, particularly those with drug problems, concluded their visit to Sri Lanka. They observed 6 centers in Colombo and one in the Galle district. These included remand homes and certified schools run by the government as well as safe homes run by the NGO sector.

The main lessons learnt during the visit include the following:
1. In Sri Lanka, safe homes (remand homes) are provided to child victims of rape and violence till their cases are decided by the courts. These homes are also shared by child offenders.
2. After the court cases are over, those children who have no homes or have unsafe homes are given shelter in, certified schools.’ Certified schools are also the detention centers for child offenders under sentences (maximum three years).
3. Offences committed by the children currently in the centers include mostly theft. Drug abuse cases are very few.
4. Under law children on long term custody have a right to get general education, character building, and vocational training.
5. Activities of the centers are run according to a daily time table, which includes time for meditation, recreation, education etc. A sample is shown in the photo below.
6. Detention centers in Sri Lanka do not give much attention to security and guarding inmates. Despite this very few children run away. Those who do so are reported to the police for tracing.

From left: Dr. A. Waheed, Inspector Ahmed Muneer, Warden of Remand Home.
Ms. Mazeena Jameel, Probation Officer of Sri Lanka Social Department, Ms. Aminath Khaleel)

Daily timetable of a safe home

 

Regional Residential Rehabilitation Center Marks the Day Maldives Converted to Islam

Gan, 30 April 2006:  Staff and client of the Regional Residential Rehabilitation Center in Gan, Addu Atoll, today marked the day the Maldives converted to Islam (see photos below).  Maldives converted to Islam circa 1150 AD, though the exact date is not known. 

According to legend, the ruler of Maldives at that time, King Kalaminja, was converted by a Moroccan, Abul Barakatul Barbari, who saved Male from the threat of a demon, which was haunting the island.  This legend has been challenged for accuracy by alternative theories.  One officially accepted alternative theory was that Maldives was converted by an Iranian, Shamsuddin Thabrizi.  Yet another theory, but not officially recognized, give the credit to an Addu man, Dhorabu of Meedhoo. 

Even though the exact date of conversion is not known, the occasion is being marked each year on the 2nd of Rabi-al-Akhir.

Photos from the meeting held to mark the Day Maldives Converted to Islam:

 

NNCB launches 'Safe Work Place' initiative

Male, 30 April 2006: NNCB today launched a 'Safe Workplace' initiative targeted at large employers, particularly tourist resort islands.  The purpose of the program is to ensure that the working environment is free of the threat of drug abuse.  Many resort islands have shown interest in the program, which is expected to increase productivity and improve the image of the resorts.

Under this program 120 employees of a resort island in Male atoll were screened today for drugs.  Beginning with this, continuous awareness activities will be conducted in the island till it can be certified as drug free.

It may be worth mentioning here that drug abuse in resorts is almost exclusively limited to a few local employees.  Studies show that such employees acquired their habit in Male or other populated islands.  Thus there is no basis for the popular misconception linking tourism and drugs.

Certificates distributed to the participants of peer education workshop

Male, 27 April 2006: Certificates were given today to the participants of the 5-day peer education workshop organized by NNCB at the seminar room of SHE building.  In this workshop 17 youngsters were trained by NNCB counselors to work as peer educators in the prevention of drug abuse.

Research in the Maldives and elsewhere has clearly shown that peer pressure is one of the main reasons for youngsters to go into drugs.  Thus a key prevention strategy is to counter this by preparing peers who work against drugs.  Under the peer training program organized by NNCB, hundreds of youngsters have  been trained over the past 2-3 years. 

NNCB awards contracts for refurbishing Children's Social Center

Male, 26 April 2006:  NNCB today signed contracts with two construction companies for refurbishing the premises of the Children's Social Center in Himmafushi.  This is part of the ongoing preparations for converting the Center to a Children's Rehabilitation Center. 

The contracts signed today include a Rufiyaa 132,058 agreement with MS Constructions for erecting a security fence around the compound, and a Rufiyaa 115,670 agreement with JBC Constructions for essential repairs to the building, which was severely damaged by the Tsunami of December 2004.

Vocational Training courses begin for NNCB clients

Male, 25 April 2006:  Vocational training courses targeted at recovering addicts have begun in the Drug Rehabilitation Center in Himmafushi, as well as the Halfway House in Male. These programs are aimed to provide job opportunities for ex-addicts. 

It has been observed in the Maldives that one of the reasons for recovered addicts to relapse is unemployment.   Most drug addicts in the country are secondary school dropouts and they have very little prospect of being trained for white collar jobs.  However, they have good prospects for earning good incomes from handicraft, carpentry and metalwork vocations.

The program for clients in the Rehabilitation Center will teach them how to design and make furniture.  The instructor for this course is Mr. Ibrahim Waheed, Deputy Director, Training, at the NNCB.  He is a qualified vocational instructor.

The program for clients of the Halfway House in Male is a welding course, organized in collaboration with Faculty of Engineering Technology of the Maldives College of Higher Education. The instructors for this course are experts from the Faculty.

NNCB makes parenting skills presentation at Jamaluddin School

Male, 25 April: NNCB counselors today started a 2-day program to provide information on parenting skills to the parents of Grade 6 and 7 of Jamaluddin School. This is the continuation of a series of presentations aimed at teaching parents the skills needed to recognize vulnerabilities among children and prevent them from going into drugs. This program will be continued in all major schools of Male during the year.

 

Peer Educator Training Program Begins

Male, 23 April 2006: A peer educator training program organized by NNCB began today at the Society for Education (SHE) seminar room.  This is a 5-day program targeted at the youth, to improve their life skills.

Topics covered in the training program include problem solving, communication skills, resisting peer pressure, self esteem, and relationship building.   Those who undergo the training program successfully will be given the opportunity to use their skills as facilitators in future events organized by NNCB.

There are 17 participants in the training program.  The facilitators are NNCB counselors.

Largest ever consignment of drugs uncovered

Male, 22 April 2006: Fisherman today discovered the largest ever cache of illicit drugs to be seized in the Maldives.  The cache, consisting of about 1.7 tons of marijuana, was concealed in a shallow lagoon in South Ari Atoll and was discovered by fisherman diving for lobster.  It is reported that the street of price of the drugs would be over a billion rufiyaa.

The police are investigating the incident.  So far the people behind the cache have not been revealed.

(photo courtesy Haveeru)

 

Seized drugs Burnt

Dhoonidu, 15 April 2006: A confiscated stock of 347 grams of illicit drugs were consigned to the fire today in front of the press, Dhivehi language paper haveeru reported.  This stock had accumulated over a period of three to four years because of legal issues relating to the requirement to produce seized drugs as evidence in court.   Because of this the material cannot be disposed off till the related trial is concluded.

  (Photo: courtesy Haveeru)

Last October, the Government established a Committee to look into this issue.  The Committee has recommended a revision to the legal procedures to expedite the destruction of stock of seized drugs.  However, some legal hurdles still remain.

Regional Rehabilitation Center completes 3 months in operation

Gan, 15 April 2006:  The Regional Rehabilitation Center (RRC) in Gan Addu Atoll completed three months in operation today.   RRC, which operates from a building in Gan earlier used by a garment factory, opened its door to clients on 15 January this year.  However, the first client joined about a week later.

Today the RRC is serving about 30 resident clients.   The center is also steadily gaining public support for its services, and more and more parents are requesting RRC to take in their wayward children. 

The center hopes to expand its services further this year, adding facilities to provide treatment to 100 clients at any one time. 

DRC management reorganized

Himmafushi, 12 April 2006:  NNCB today made key changes to the management structure of its Drug Rehabilitation Center in Himmafushi.  These changes are aimed to motivate staff and enhance the quality of the programs.

 

One of the key changes is the creation of a psychology division.  Headed by Dr. Satish Kumar, a PHD in psychology with many years of experience in India's TTK Center, the psychology division will provide in-service training to local counselors and support them in providing care to clients with psychological problems.

Majlis concludes debate on Narcotics

Male, 11 April 2006:  Citizen's Majlis today concluded its debate on Male member Ibrahim Ismail's motion to form a special committee of the Majlis to work with the government for drug control.  When the motion was put to vote 24 members voted for it, while 10 opposed and 1 abstained.  thus the motion did not get the require majority to pass. 

During the debate members including Shaviyani member Mohamed Hussain, Dhaalu member Ahmed Nashid and Thaa member Hassan Afeef highlighted the cost of treating drug addicts, which was roughly estimated at $ 20,000 per client.  Thus they suggested seeking alternative ways of dealing with the issue.

It may be recalled that in recent months law enforcement agencies have tightened their narcotics control measures.  As a result seizures at the Customs have reached an all time high.  Many drug dealers have been arrested by the Police, as a result there has been a sharp drop in the crime rate in the capital.  According to Police sources, at the end of 2005, an average of 8 crimes were reported to the Police per duty shift. Following the special operations, the crime rate has come down to 1 to 2.

In February this year the President passed a special Decree to isolate and treat addicts who posed danger to themselves and the society.  Under this Decree, about 50 addicts have been admitted to the Drug Rehabilitation Center in Himmafushi.  Following the decree the number of volunteers seeking treatment has also risen  sharply.  Currently about 210 clients are undergoing rehabilitation in residential centers in the country.  This is three times the average for last year, which was 70.

Seized Narcotics to be burnt on Thursday

Male, 11 April 2006: After comprehensive discussions on the modalities, the Committee on Destruction of Narcotics today set a date for destruction of the current stock of contraband drugs.  According to Committee sources at least 380 grams of heroin is scheduled for burning on Thursday, 13 April.  The burning ceremony will take place at Doonidoo Island, to which committee members and the press will be invited.

According to Committee sources, the delay in the resumption of burning was due to legal hurdles.  Under the current legislation drugs seized as evidence must be kept till the trial is fully and finally concluded.  It has taken the Committee about four months to untangle some of the legal issues, in preparation for Thursday's bonfire.

 

World Health Day celebrated

Male, 7 April 2006: World Health Day was celebrated with gusto all over the Maldives, with the theme of ‘Working Together for Health’. In Male, the main event of the day was a health fair organized by the Department of Public Health at Ghyasuddin School. All departments and units within the health sector as well as related sectors and NGOs participated in the fair to provide health education. NNCB also set up a stall in the fair to provide drug related information.

The Hulhumale hospital celebrated its 2nd Anniversary, which coincided with the World Health Day. The occasion was marked by a dinner and a cultural show. The chief guest on the occasion was Dr. Abdullah Waheed, acting head of NNCB.

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