This year’s Legal Aid Week will focus on raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, legal and rights awareness, officials said.

The Legal Aid Week will be launched on Tuesday in Gihango sector, Rutsiro District and will run until January 26.

Speaking to reporters, the executive director of the Legal Aid Forum (LAF), Andrews Kananga, said the Legal Aid Week has been helpful over the years.

He highlighted raising awareness on various social ills which he said helps to prevent crimes such as delinquency in society.

Since 2009 until now, around 1081 juvenile delinquent cases have been brought to court and settled successfully, he said.

He added that there has been a significant drop in juvenile delinquent cases compared to the years 2009-2012.

Johnson Busingye, the minister for Justice stressed the need to contain drugs and alcohol abuse among the youth.

"Alcohol and drug consumption in the country, particularly among the youth is a wakeup call to confront it. This is mainly because it is the future generation involved,” he said.

As part of the activities, ministry and Legal Aid Forum officials will be visiting sectors to address house hold conflicts.

"We want to address conflicts in families because it affects progress,” Busingye said.

Other activities will include legal and rights awareness, according to the minister.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw