Rwanda National Police

A student of Groupe Scolaire Nsinda in Rwamagana district has challenged fellow youth to stand up against the scourge of drug abuse, which is shutting doors to a better future of some of their colleagues out of “peer influence.”
 
Fred Cyuzuzo, a senior three student was speaking during a campaign against drug abuse and gender-based violence held at their school in Muhazi sector on May 9.
 
She urged fellow students and youth who could be involved in drug-related crimes to stop adding that their parents and the country expects a lot from them, and that this can’t be possible if they involve themselves in such criminal acts.
 
“In reality, there is nothing good in consuming drugs. It is just shire peer influence and before you know it, you are addicted, you lose control of yourself, you drop out of school, start to steal and other criminal acts and your future is brown just like that,” Cyuzuzo told fellow students.
 
“Why then not fight it to save our fellow youth imprisoned by this vice,” she wondered.
 
 
Inspector of Police Jean Bosco Segatare explained to their youth on various types of drugs and dangers associated with its consumption.
 
IP Segatare outlined cannabis, locally distilled illicit brew called ibikwangari made out of sugarcane residues and gins like kanyanga and chief waragi as some of the common drugs in Rwanda, and which are harmful to health, since they contain hazardous content.
 
He emphasised that to effectively fight and prevent making, trafficking, selling and consumption of such drugs which are said to be major causes of other crimes like domestic and gender-based violence, theft, assault and leads to school drop outs and unwanted pregnancy, requires all Rwandans, especially the youth to collectively stand up against it by providing information on anyone involved.
 
“Fight it amongst yourselves because those involved are either your schoolmates or neighbours. Your partnership is critical to effectively combat it and fight other crimes that can affect your safety and the country in general,” IP Segatare told the youth.
 
He urged them to be agents of crime prevention in their respective communities.
 
The exercise held at the school campus in Muhazi sector was also attended by the school administration.
 
Félicien Ngirabanzi, school head-teacher thanked Rwanda National Police for extending to their students, adding that it has given them light on the status of drug abuse and their responsibility as teachers to carry on with the campaign against the vice in the school.
 
“The ball now remains in our hand to continue to nurture these youngsters to be future leaders and to carry on with the mantle of sustainable development,” Ngirabanzi said.