Rwanda National Police

The Integrated Polytechnic Regional College (IPRC) Ngoma campus organised a five-day campaign against drug abuse and to sensitize the youth on the dangers of the vice.

Over 600 youths including student from various schools in Kibungo sector are taking part in the awareness exercise that started on Monday under the theme “Youth, Let’s fight drug abuse as we engage in Technical and Vocational Training (TVT) and strive for self esteem.”

Kizito Habimana, the IPRC vice Principle in charge of Administration and Finance said the awareness aims at protecting the youth from drug abuse.

"Most importantly, we are mobilizing them to become active partners with Police and all Rwandans to fight and prevent trafficking, distilling, selling and consumption of illicit drugs like marijuana, kanyanga and other hazardous drinks," Habimana said.

"We know drug abuse is one of the causes of school drop-outs. Students, who engage in drug dealing and consumption end up losing sense of direction, drop out of school and sometimes becomes a danger to the society through various criminal activities like theft, rape and murder,” he added.

Assistant Inspector of Police, Jean Pierre Ndayisaba, Ngoma District Liaison Officer urged the youth to refrain from such acts noting that it is a criminal offence punishable under Rwandan laws and a danger to one's better future.

AIP Ndayisaba urged them to be catalysts in the ongoing campaign against the vice by providing timely information on those connected to these criminal acts.

Assuman Havugarurema, a former drug addict who shared his testimony, narrated that, he started smoking marijuana at the age 14.

Havugarurema said he managed to quit the habit and later engaged in profitable business out of which he raised money and bought himself a plot of land and a house.

"I know what I went through, humiliation, a bad figure in the community, no respect and I wouldn't want anyone to go through similar situation. You have a chance of changing you lives, seize it. Don't be taken by these dangerous wild pleasures," Havugarurema told fellow youth.