Rwanda National Police

As part of the ongoing awareness programme to fight and prevent use and trade of narcotic and illicit drugs, Rwanda National Police (RNP) reached out to residents of Kamonyi District and enlightened them on the effects of drug abuse.

In a meeting held on November 8 at the district conference hall in Gacurabwenge Sector, the District Community Liaison Officer, Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Athanase Niyonagira gave a detailed lecture about the types and effects of drugs on the community and on the nation at large.

He went on to outline the most common narcotics in Rwanda such as cannabis, illicit liquor like Kanyanga and other locally made hazardous substances, which he said cause physical and mental damage to anyone who consumes them and have the ability of turning an individual violent

“The effect of consuming such substances are not only limited to the consumers but his or her family and the nation at large. We are calling on the public to join efforts with all security organs to collectively combat the vice. Narcotic are a threat to life and they interfere with security and safety measures within any given community. It is therefore imperative that we all join hands to protect our people from this scourge, especially the youth, the most targeted and most affected,” he said.

According to Niyonagira youth are lured to join gangs that abuse drugs, and in the end, they end up committing all sorts of crimes, such as burglary, gender-based violence and petty theft.

“We should work together to protect our young generation by being exemplary and reporting drug dealers on a timely basis. Drug abuse leads to several ills and other malpractices like rape and defilement. The country expects the youth to be the light of society. You should stand up to any individual who wants to introduce you to drugs, and report them to the police,” Niyonagira told the meeting.

The over150 attendants of the meeting were people who had showed up to sit for a provisional driver's license tests. Police seized the opportunity to sensitize them against drugs.

The meeting which was also attended by local leaders discussed on other varied issues that include human trafficking and enhancing the proactive ideals of night patrols and neighbourhood watch.

Emmanuel Mbarushimana who spoke on behalf of those that attended the meeting pledged to tighten night patrols and reinforce the concept of neighborhood watch, and be active in community development programmes.

“By fighting drug abuse we will be protecting and drawing a better future line for our children. If we don’t want our children to be victims we should adhere to what police tells us,” Mbarushimana told village-mates