English
Kinyarwanda
Police, ADEPR church and Rwanda Youth Volunteers in Community Policing in Gakenke District have launched a joint campaign against narcotic drugs in the district.
The campaign was launched over the weekend. More than 1000 people majority the youth attend the launch of the campaign which included a walk against drugs.
The vice mayor of Gakenke in charge of Social Affairs, Catherine Uwimana partly blamed parents's negligence and domestic conflicts as one of the causes driving the young people into abusing drugs.
This, she added, has brought unprecedented breakdown in societal and family values, increase in school dropouts and low productivity and the spread of HIV and AIDS through sexual malpractices.
"We have to protect the young people from drugs but also report those addicted to be rehabilitated," she said.
She also challenged grassroots leaders and residents in general to work together to strengthen community night patrols--Irondo.
The acting District Police Commander (DPC) of Gakenke, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Viateur Ntiyamira, commended the role of faith based groups in educating their followers on dangers of abusing drugs.
He observed that the fight against illicit drugs will continue to make significant impact especially when all groups and the general public own it.
He said that drug dealers or abusers live in communities and are known by the residents.
"Drug dealers are your neighbours. We urge you to exercise your community policing rights to report them...don't let these criminals destroy your children and families, and to cause insecurity in your villages," CIP Ntiyamira said.
He also appealed to the youth to desist peer influence and other people that might want to engage them in either abusing or selling drugs.
He also asked elders to live an exemplary life and “be good role model and empower the young people to stay away and fight substance use."
ADEPR church leaders in Gakenke pledged to use evangelism to fight the vice especially among the young people.
