English
Kinyarwanda
Students from technical and vocational institutes in Kayonza District have pledged strong involvement in planning and implementing strategies to prevent drug abuse in their communities.
They made the pledge on February 26 during their meeting that attracted residents, local leaders, as well as representatives of police and other security organs.
"It is high time we, the youth, stood up and acknowledged our role in ending drug abuse since it mostly affects us. It is our duty to overcome this challenge and contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of our country," Claudine Nyinawase, one of the students said.
"We owe our country a lot; we have been given a platform on which we can develop as future leaders, so we need to sensitize our colleagues on the dangers of drug abuse and collectively seek for solutions."
Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Erasto Niyibizi, Kayonza District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO) challenged the youth to own initiatives dedicated to preventing the use of drugs and other crimes and cooperate with Police by providing timely information on wrongdoers.
"Young people should volunteer in communities to teach and sensitize their fellow youth and societies about the dangers involved in abusing drugs or joining crime groups," AIP Niyibizi said.
"Take the lead to mediate conflicts amongst your colleges, advise them on the right path," he added.
The force emphasises the role of the youth in the ongoing campaign against drugs abuse, which is crucial considering that the vice is rated high among the youth.
Rwanda National Police has so far trained over 600 members of the Rwanda Youth Volunteers in Crime Prevention Organisation (RYVCPO) on crime prevention.
The organization is composed of about 7, 000 members countrywide including students, who supports vulnerable communities by giving them medical insurance, livestock and carryout crime prevention awareness programmes in schools and communities against drug abuse, corruption and gender and domestic violence, among others.
RNP is also engaged in countrywide awareness campaigns and operations against drug abuse.
