Rwanda National Police

Police in Gicumbi District in collaboration with members of Rwanda Youth Volunteers in Community Policing, on Tuesday, reach-out to students of Kageyo secondary school and urged them not to be lured into either abusing or dealing in drugs.

While addressing the students, Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Alphonse Karekezi, the District Community Liaisons Officer (DCLO) of Gicumbi reminded the students that making, trafficking, selling, and abusing illicit drugs in criminal.

"Drugs such as cannabis, kanyanga, chief and zebra waragi and other substances are criminalised because of their ill-effects to users; they are not healthy for human consumption," the DCLO told the students.

Illicit drugs are linked to liver, heart and mental related illness.

He urged them to embark on their studies which is the only gateway to a happy and prosperous future live.

AIP Karekezi also advised against alcoholism. 

By law, consuming or serving alcoholic beverages is prohibited to anyone aged below 18 years in Rwanda.

AIP Karekezi explained that when any abuser reaches the stage of addiction, the their future hangs in balance. He, however, added that the government has invested a lot in rehabilitation efforts and urged them to report their colleagues addicted or who use drugs to be rehabilitated.

The headmaster of the school, Aimable Umwizerwa commended the RNP for the sensitising the young people against drugs.

He said the school will also put efforts in educating them and to be part of the ongoing national response against drugs.

Gicumbi is mapped as one of the transit routes for drug traffickers especially illicit gin.