Rwanda | Kamonyi launches youth anti-drug campaign

An Anti-drug youth campaign has been launched in Kamonyi distrctit as a way of fighting drug abuse among the youth in the district.

The campaign will cover all the nine sectors of Kamonyi district, under the theme: “we strive for a better welfare among Rwandans”

This is aimed encouraging the youth to avoid drug use and the effects that come with drug abuse, so as to shift their energy towards national development.

Gacurabwenge sector officials said that a full week has been dedicated to the campaign. They held anti-drug walk from Kamonyi trading centre towards St Bernadette Secondary school in Kamonyi.

The Executive Secretary of Gacurabwenge sector, Martha Umugiraneza said that fighting drug abuse among the youth is every ones responsibility whether parent, youth or any other person.

She asked the youth, whom she referred to as ‘Rwanda’s future leaders’ to avoid the use of drugs and alcoholism which have been the cause of many school drop outs in the area.

Jean Baptiste Bucyangenda who represented police in Kamonyi district said the youth should be at the forefront of fighting drugs since they are the prime culprits of drug abuse.

Ministry of local government officials asked local leaders, parents and teachers to upbeat their involvement in fighting drug abuse among the youth. Parents were asked to obey orders from the prime minister that stops them from associating children below the age of 18 years with alcohol, using them to serve in bars, hotels and lodges.

Drug abuse is punishable by the Rwandan laws. If convicted, one can serve a period of three months to five years in jail or can be fined to pay Rwf500.000 francs or both penalties can be used at once.

The district officer in charge of youth and sports, Albert Teganywa revealed that the anti-drug campaign, that started towards the end of January, will last for six months and be held in all moving all over the sectors in the district.