Road to Recovery - Stories from Youth Cannabis Users
Presented at Thessaloniki 2024 - Panel: Special Focus: Adolescents and Emerging Adults, on the 26th of June, 2024.
Authors:
1.Mrs. Malsha Muneer (⚑ Maldives) 1
2.Ms. Zara Athif (⚑ Maldives) 2
3.Dr. Aishath Nasheedha (⚑ Maldives) 1
4.Ms. Luhya Ismail (⚑ Maldives) 3
5.Mrs. Azra Abdul Sattar (⚑ Maldives) 1
6.Ms. Eema Ismail (⚑ Maldives) 1
1. Villa College, 2. Independent Practitioner, 3. Independent practitioner
Abstract:
Over the past few years, drug imports and sales have been on the rise in Maldives, with cannabis being amongst the most smuggled drugs. Youth involvement in drug use is high, and cannabis consumption is becoming pervasive in this demographic. However, the response to the drug endemic in the Maldives is still in the infancy stages, with limited availability of rehabilitation services. This is alarming, considering the rise in cannabis consumption, coupled with the absence of a tailored and evidence-based treatment designed specifically for cannabis consumption. The National Drug Agency (NDA) is a government establishment, tasked with tackling drug-related concerns; including demand reduction and drug rehabilitation.
The NDA runs a general drug rehabilitation treatment ‘The Basic Program (TBP)’ for individuals apprehended by court orders for cannabis consumption. The following study aims to understand the lived experiences of battling and recovery journey from cannabis dependency from the perspective of participants of the TBP. A qualitative approach will be utilized in this case study - four Maldivian male citizens, who completed TBP treatment within the last two years will be interviewed. The TBP is a six-month program and includes life-skill educational classes, frequent urine analyses, regular signing-in, and group and individual counselling sessions. This is one of the first studies to research an addiction recovery program in the Maldives.
Further, this is the first inquiry into the experience of undertaking the TBP. With the help of the participants' lived experiences, we can progress towards the implementation of evidence-based treatments for cannabis dependence. This is an important step to take for supporting addiction recovery in a country where drug dependency is highly stigmatized and many citizens do not seek treatment due to concerns of being ostracized.
