46.3 Percent Believe Full Implementation of Drug Law Can Bring Lasting Solution: Sun Online Poll

A Sun Online poll has shown that 46.3 percent of respondents believe that the full implementation of the law on drugs can bring a lasting solution to the issue of drugs and the problems caused by addicted individuals. The poll, which was opened on Monday of last week, asked the public how to achieve a lasting solution without residents having to take to the streets each time they face trouble. The second most-supported option, chosen by 36.2 percent of participants, was to stop solving problems using a 'firefighting' approach and instead hold institutions fully accountable. Additionally, 17.4 percent of those who took part supported ending the monopoly of the National Drug Agency (NDA) and changing procedures to allow private parties to also provide treatment for the psychological problems of drug addicts. The poll comes after a hunger strike was held at the Henveiru Police Station in Malé by a responsible official, Mohamed Saeed, over an unsolved public nuisance case involving a drug addict that had persisted for a year and a half. Saeed ended his hunger strike after 35 hours when relevant state institutions gave assurances. The suspect in the case was arrested and sentenced to 15 days in prison, ending next Monday. Concerns remain that despite the enactment of strict laws in the Maldives, they are not being implemented as desired.