UNICEF has launched a Wake Up campaign in Maldives. It is a nationwide drug campaign aimed at preventing drug abuse and promoting recovery among addicts throughout the Maldives, a country known as a holiday haven for the rich and famous.
Here are the reasons for waking up according to wake up website.
Why? – As you read this, drug abuse is increasing in the Maldives
- Children as young as 9 and even 7 are starting to experiment with dangerous drugs
- The most popular drug in the Maldives – heroin – or brown sugar – is one of the most highly addictive and destructive drugs in the world.
- Drug addiction can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, economic status, or the family they belong to
- Every family is affected by drugs, either directly or indirectly – therefore it is in the interest of each and every one of us to take action.
- We are a small community and when one of us suffers, we all end up suffering
Drug addiction can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, gender, economic or social status,” said UNICEF Representative Ken Maskall. “Many people don’t realize that addiction is really a chronic, progressive condition that requires professional treatment, help and support. For a small country like the Maldives, if one member suffers, we all end up suffering, especially children. It is in the interest of each and every one of us to take action now and to say no to drugs.”
Knowledge can be power and so we should applaud UNICEF's effort in the Wake Up campaign to educate the people. But if UNICEF Rep's statement that 'being a small country if one member suffers, we all end up suffering' holds true for Maldivians, then we would not have this problem. The solution to this problem lies in our Govt's ability to stop the influx of drugs into Maldives. So far, they have not been able to do so. Rehabilitation, recovery and assimilation of recovering addicts into the mainstream society will become an easier process if we make it a national goal to stop the import of drugs into the country. Until we stop the drug trade, sadly the battle against drugs will continue to be a losing one as we have seen up to now.
6 comments:
Mental health services is non existent in the Maldives at the moment. Many developed countries are realizing that treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts can go way forward if mental health services and drug rehab and treatment services come under one umbrella. research has shown that many if no all , drug addicts as having a mental health problem. hence treating drug addicts within the mental health system will bring positive results.
Hi anonymous
You raised a very good point. Hopefully Mental Health services can come in Maldives soon to help the recovering addicts who need the support and compassion of family, friends and community. The State should give them every help they need to make the difficult transition and continue a drug-free life.
although a good thing.... i still feel it is much of proganda.... i wudn't say how....
its not abuse, its usage. see yasir's post at www.abdullayasir.com
Hi kuttihaleem
Thank your for comment and for pointing to Yaisr's opinion of drug 'abuse' and its 'use'. I respect his opinion but I disagree with his assumption.
If I apply that logic, since drug use is not permitted in Maldives, all of its use legally can be considered as abuse.
So, my statement of drug abuse in Maldives stands correct.
It is unhelpful to quibble on these words when so many are suffering due to drugs. Regardless of what term one chooses to use, let us all join hands to do what we can do to help those in need.
Exactly Hilmy. We need to focus on the reality of things and be spot on.
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