President: Drug-related influences within the Police eliminated

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Friday, said that drug-related influences that existed within the Maldives Police Service when he assumed office have since been eliminated.

The President made the remarks during the third episode of his podcast series, "The Pulse," released on Friday, which focused on the government's efforts to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse.

During the podcast, President Muizzu said that upon taking office, he observed what he described as concerning narcotics-related influences within the police force.

"For instance, we saw cases where seized items from raids found their way back into the community and there were various negative influences. By the grace of Allah, those claws have been removed, and we no longer hear of opportunities within the police service," the President said.

The President also stated that drug-related deaths and fatalities linked to gang violence have declined under the current administration.

Expressing optimism that the country could be freed from the scourge of drugs through a collective national effort, the President said his administration is pursuing a comprehensive policy to address the issue.

Elaborating on the policy, the President said its primary objective is to rescue young people affected by drug addiction and rehabilitate them into productive, self-reliant, and responsible members of society.

Acknowledging that individuals become involved in drug use for a variety of reasons, the President said the issue can only be effectively addressed by identifying and tackling its root causes.

"Since the government's policy is to tackle the root causes, resolving the housing crisis is a top priority. Increasing adequate job opportunities and facilitating various income-generating avenues for the youth are also key components of this strategy," the President stated.

The President added that addressing the drug problem is closely linked to improvements in the education and healthcare sectors, and said the government is pursuing a long-term solution by addressing these interconnected issues.

The current administration has previously introduced a number of stringent measures to combat drug-related crimes, including legislative amendments providing for the death penalty for individuals convicted of smuggling specified quantities of certain narcotic substances.