Rwanda National Police

The Rwanda National Police on June 12 held discussions with stakeholders including medical experts on health complications associated with consumption of illicit drugs.

The major aim of the discussions held at the RNP headquarters in Kacyiru was to understand more what drug abuse is, common drugs in Rwanda and its ill-effects.

Charles Mudenge, a Psychiatrist at the University Central Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) outlined failure of liver, heart, kidney and developing diabetes as some of side-effects of consuming illicit drugs like cannabis, kanyanga and other locally brewed brews, which are the most common in Rwanda.

The law governing narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors in Rwanda, in its Article 24, states that “any drink that exceeds forty five percent of alcohol and any other drink which doesn’t have the required quality for consumption shall be considered as narcotic drug.”

“Police looks at the use of drugs as a case but we – doctors – look at as a health hazard and that’s why partnership to combat it is vital,” Mudenge said.
“The problem is affecting all age groups and in turn affects diverse sectors such as economy, education, health, morals and lay foundation to other crimes such as domestic violence, robberies and homicides,” he added.

In most cases, he explained, at the level when addicts can’t afford such drugs, they develop bad behaviours in society and lay foundation to other crimes like theft, domestic violence and homicides.

He appealed to parents and everyone to always detect behavior change at an early stage as a major preventive measure.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Theos Badege, Commissioner for Criminal Investigation Department said that though the vice has reduced due to stringent measures, it remains among major crimes committed in Rwanda.

ACP Badege, however, added that such discussions create public awareness on the effects and how to deal with the scourge.