NYARUGENGE - The acting Commissioner General of Police has called upon the youth to adopt constructive Rwandan values in order to overcome bad morals that might be caused by ‘modernity’.

Mary Gahonzire was on Sunday speaking to youths of Nyarugenge district gathered at Maison des Jeunes in Kimisagara.

The gathering was in line with the fight against drug abuse. The meeting, which saw some youths confessing to drug abuse but which they have since abandoned, were also entertained with live music by local artists.

Gahonzire said that some youth abuse alcohol and drugs and disrespect their parents and superiors in the name of modernity. 

"There are good values that can be borrowed from modernity but if we totally abandon our values, we are heading for disaster. Let us restore our good values for a better Rwanda,” Gahonzire said.

She explained that Rwandan culture teaches young ones to respect and help the weak, especially the elderly. "When a young person sees an old person stranded, offer assistance,” she advised.

The revived culture would be a tool for fighting and preventing crimes in the country, she said, adding that youths have the ability to assist those in trouble which would lead to a stable society.

Gahonzire said that the police will be meeting boarding and day school students on holiday and draw strategies from their views on crime prevention and its dangers. She added that the youth have to know the dangers of drug abuse and the value of life.

"We have to show them their role towards security and stability …a lot is expected from them towards attaining our nation’s Vision 2020,” Gahonzire explained.

Faruk Nyakongeza, 27, confessed that he abandoned drugs in 2007 after meeting members of a youth anti-drug abuse association.

He added that when he joined the association, he was taught the dangers of drug abuse, which prompted him to quit the habit.

He said that he started abusing drugs in 1996 and that in that period he could not think or do any work because he was weak most of the time.

"I could not have peace without the drugs, but now I have a good life and I am a musician under Abakimaze group. I urge other drug users to quit and start working or go back to school,” Nyakongeza said.

The event that kicked off at 2 p.m, closed at 5 p.m., with many youths seeming to have lessons to carry back home for the betterment of their own lives. 

Ends