Rwanda National Police

The Eastern Province, on Thursday, conducted a campaign against narcotic drugs as part of the ongoing Police Week that mainly focuses on raising awareness against the vice.

The event held in Nyagatare District attracted over 1700 youth and presided over by the Governor of the Eastern Province, Fred Mufulukye.

Psychotropic substances worth over Rwf32 million were also disposed of during the exercise that started with a walk against drugs.

The destroyed drugs were seized in police operations conducted in the last four months.

Governor Mufuluke hailed the partnership between the Police and residents in the region in community policing activities and fighting drugs in partw.

He urged the youth to desist from drugs, actively join efforts by reporting dealers and divert money into development activities rather than wasting it in selling or buying drugs, which is a loss when seized and destroyed.

He embarked on side effects of abusing drugs, citing mental illness, liver and heart complications and non communicable diseases.

The Governor also cited the role of the family and teachers in educating students on dangers of abusing illicit drugs.

Majority drug dealers and abusers in Rwanda are said to be the youth, constituting over 70 per cent, according to Police statistics.

The Deputy Regional Police Commander, Chief Supt. Francis Muheto told the youth that fighting drug abuse is one of the priorities of the Police, but added that the force continues to count on the partnership with the public share information on dealers in their communities.

“The safety and security is a collective responsibility, for without it development will derail. Drug dealers and abusers are a threat to the entire society and the overall wellbeing,” CSP Muheto said, citing school dropouts, domestic conflicts and child abuse as some of the repercussions of using drugs.

“It is in this context that we dedicated the first week of this year’s Police Week to fighting narcotic drugs and informing the public especially youth about the effects of these substances to the community, education and how they contribute to child abuse,” SSP Muheto said.

This year’s Police Week that comes ahead of the June 16, 18th anniversary.

It is held under the theme: “18 Years of Partnership in Policing: Towards a Crime-free Village.”