Rwanda National Police

Over 800 students from various schools in Ngororero District have pledged to actively fight against drug abuse by sensitising their communities and also working with Police to apprehend drug dealers and abusers.

They made the vow during a sensitization seminar on May 7, in Bwira Sector, which was opened by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Alphonse Zigira,  the District Police Commander and attended by local leaders and residents of the area.

In his remarks, SSP Zigira commended the youth for expressing a high level of knowledge about the dangerous effects of drug abuse and asked them to honor their pledge by calling upon their fellow youth to denounce and fight the habit.

"There are very many young people who have committed themselves to help Police overcome drugs in communities; but there are also some who are addicted to drugs and have refused to turn away from this habit. We should work together to sensitise them and lead them from this destructive path," he said.

One of the students, Evariste Munyaneza,  who represented his fellow youth, said that drug dealers always target young people by deceiving them that it is lucrative to join the drugs trade, yet in reality, it only destroys their academics and family lives.

"Police and the school authorities have always come to us to warn us about the dangers of drugs. We need to listen to this message and actively perform our role in ending drug abuse in our schools and home areas," Munyaneza said.

"It is drugs and alcoholism that in most cases fuel other crimes such as burglary,  rape, murder, violence and child abuse. Let us all protect our families and country by reporting to Police immediately whenever such cases occur," he added.

"We will always report to Police those who want to introduce the youth to drugs and also work with authorities to identify young people who abuse drugs. This is one way through which we can contribute to the development of our country."

The school authorities present at the seminar lauded Police for constantly reaching out to the youth and pledged to ensure that their school compounds are safe from drugs and illicit brew.

Police collaborates with school authorities and youth, through Anti-Crime Clubs to sensitize young people about crimes such as drug abuse,  gender based violence, and others, in a bid to increase their knowledge and capacity to overcome them.

RNP also signed an agreement with the Youth Volunteers in Crime Prevention,  which is an umbrella body that brings together youth from all parts of the country to fight against  crime.