National Narcotics Control Bureau

Religious Awareness

Religion plays an important part in prevention of drug abuse and recovery of drug addicts. However, in order to make effective use of this role, religious leaders need to be trained.

Mohamed Uthman El- Muhammady (Very distinguished Academic Fellow, International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC), IIUM, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) says on this topic:

"...Mosques and religious leaders have significant roles to play in the global effort at demand reduction at various levels from the lowest, right to the highest. However this role has got to be empowered and preceded by effective planned preparations in terms of exposure and training of the religious leaders..." Read more.

The Challenge

Illicit drugs are a global impediment to the social and economic development of nations. The impact of the drug scourge has been particularly severe on the Maldives, threatening her prosperity, good health, and indeed her whole future.

In the past decade we have intensified our efforts to stop the drug menace. But we, as a nation, need to do even more to ensure that criminals, who put their own interests before those of the nation, do not take our common heritage away from us.

The lesson we learn from other countries is that drug abuse is a hydra-like multifaceted issue. It requires a balanced well-coordinated multi-sectoral approach, encompassing measures to stop illicit drugs from entering the country and to reduce the demand for them. Both these aspects are equally important and need to be given the same, high priority.

We, therefore, call upon all Maldivians, as indeed the international community, to support fully our efforts to eliminate the scourge of illicit drugs from the Maldives and beyond our borders. This is the challenge and we must commit ourselves to this challenge.