English
Kinyarwanda
About 700 youths from the Association of the Pentecostal Church of Rwanda (ADEPR) and the Anglican Church of Rwanda (EAR), on December 15, joined the District Police Unit of Rusizi to raise awareness against illicit drugs and child sexual violence against children.
The campaign held in Kamembe Sector started with a 4km walk dedicated to fighting illicit drugs, educating the young people on dangers associated with using drugs, and to protect and promote the rights of children.
The District Police Commander (DPC) of Rusizi, Superintendent of Police (SP) Athanase Ruganintwari, while speaking to the youth, thanked them for the community policing exercise to save their generation from the scourge.
About 70 percent of the users, addicts and dealers in narcotic drugs are the young people aged between 18 and 35 years, according to statistics.
“When you analyze cases of child abuse like defilement, you find that majority are committed by drug abusers,” Supt. Ruganintwari said.
“It wouldn’t be just okay to imagine that you know that cannabis and other substances will destroy your life when you know people who sell these psychotropic substances and you don’t take an extra-mile to report them. Don’t let them roam in your communities because if you are not the victim someone else will,” he added.
He also appealed to girls to say no to people that seduce them into sexual malpractices and instead report any acts of abuses they face or witness.
Pastor Daniel Nkurunziza from ADEPR church challenged the youth to fear God. “It is a crime to abuse or sell drugs but is also a sin. As Christians, avoid and fight anything that will affect your life… your future, and the wellbeing of your communities.”
