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Kinyarwanda
The six-month government campaign against drug abuse continued in Huye District on Wednesday where thousands of residents including motorcyclists converged in Ngoma Sector where message on ill-effects of psychotropic substances were delivered.
The campaign is being conducted under the International Day against Drug Abuse.
The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking falls on June 26 each year and seeks to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs present to society.
The Ministry of Health is leading the countrywide sensitization programme.
The Head of the Mental Health Department at Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Dr. Yvonne Kayiteshonga, while speaking to residents, noted that drug abuse is a public health issues which must be dealt with comprehensively.
“The strength of this nation is its people, but they have to be mentally healthy. Drug use disorders and related health conditions are major public health concerns. Addressing the drug abuse problem is essential for promoting health, peace and the overall social wellbeing of the people,” Kayiteshonga said
Rwanda National Police says fighting narcotic drug trafficking and abuse is among major priorities.
The crime is ranked among the top five high impact crimes like human trafficking, corruption and public funds embezzlement, and gender-based violence.
Last year, over 3,000 cases of drug abuse and trafficking were registered, according to Police statistics. Between January and May this year, over 1,000 cases have been registered, indicating a relative decrease in the crime.
RNP spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Theos Badege, while speaking at the same event, said that cannabis is the most trafficked and seized narcotic drug.
“We urge you to own this campaign against drugs by reporting dealers in your communities. We are in the era of community policing where it becomes a collective responsibility against crime,” said ACP Badege.
To reduce drug abuse rate, he said, “Students and young people should be educated at an early age on the subject of drug prevention.”
According to Police statistics, people aged between 18 and 30 years constitute 71.66 percent of those caught in drug-related crimes.
ACP Badege said police will continue to work closely with partners including citizens to break chains of drug trafficking, which he said that it fuels other crimes that undermine development, peace, and human health.
The event was also marked with the destruction of an assortment of illicit drugs seized in varied operations in the district over a period of time.
The occasion was also characterized by drama skits and songs from school children depicting messages that show challenges related to the use of psychotropic substances, especially among the youth.
Present at the function was also the Southern Region Police Commander, ACP Gilbert Gumira, Mayor of Huye Eugene Kayiranga Muzuka, , and Deputy Commissioner for CID, ACP Moris Muligo, among others.
This year, the campaign against drugs is held under the theme ‘Listen First’ recommended by the UN under the ‘Listening to Children and Young People’ to help the young generation grow healthy and safe.
