Rwanda National Police

The ongoing campaign by the Association of Pentecostal Churches in Rwanda (ADEPR) to raise awareness against illicit drugs, continued in Nyagatare District on March 5 where about 5000 church members and residents joined in a walk against the vice.

The campaign focuses on fighting trafficking, sell and use especially among the young people.

The walk against illicit drugs, which was also attended by police and local leaders, commenced from the church parish in Barija through Nyagatare town and ended at the District Police Unit (DPU) where messages of community policing were delivered.

They carried placards with messages on dangers of abusing psychotropic substances.

Chief Supt. Johnson Sesonga, the District Police Commander, while addressing the gathering, commended the ADEPR church for “active effort” to end the vice.

He said that the initiative is a clear signal that members of the public mainly the church are concerned with dangers posed by illicit drugs and its ill-effects especially to the majority users, the youth.

“Together we are sending the message that we care about each other and share the common goal of saying no to drugs and excessive alcohol consumption" the DPC said.

He said that to combat the spread of drugs, communities must have same understand and respond together.

Bishop Jean Sibomana of ADEPR said that joining efforts with law enforcement agencies and residents is the commitment the church has committed to rooting out illicit drugs from Rwanda.

He noted that young people are often drawn into such criminal acts thus cutting their dreams short.

During the campaign, an assortment of illicit drugs seized from traffickers were also disposed of as a sign against drugs.