Minister of Local Government, Francis Kaboneka, has called on new members of the District Administration Security Support Organ (DASSO) to play the vital role in the fight against drug abuse among Rwandan youth.

Drug abuse among youth is on the list of today’s major issues which the minister mentioned, calling for more effort to end it.  

He was speaking on Saturday afternoon at the DASSO intake 4 pass-out ceremony at Police Training School (PTS), in Gishali, Rwamagana district.

New 515 DASSO members from 17 districts have joined the organ after completing training course that they had embarked on from June 05 this year. 88 of the trainees were females.

New DASSO recruits during pass-out at Police Training School-Gishari on Saturday. They trained in weapon handling, discipline, leadership and management, first aid, laws, community policing, among others. Jean de Dieu Nsabimana.

The event was also attended by Inspector General of Police (IGP), CG Emmanuel K. Gasana and other police senior officers, Eastern Province Governor Fred Mufulukye, and mayors of the districts, among others.

Kaboneka said that drugs abuse is recognized as one of the causes of insecurity.

"It is comprehensible because when one’s brain is affected there is nothing perfect they can do,” he stated.

"So, we ask you to take that responsibility, to understand that it is your responsibility to help Rwanda, to help Rwandans fight any kind of drug abuse,” he said.

He also asked new DASSO members to have partnership with old members, citizens and local government officials, to end other issues including teen pregnancies.

He said the DASSO is on duty and working "well” with local leaders.

Drug abuse among youth is on the list of today’s major issues which Minister Kaboneka mentioned, calling for more effort to end it.

"We are happy that this organ is strong now, and citizens laud how it works,” he declared.

The minister said that today everything is in order in the organ, and the old members know their responsibilities, which he said it was different in the beginning.   

He said new DASSO members are bringing more strength in the organ and are going to help those who are already working.

Now that DASSO gets more members, it will be possible for it to fix some of inaccuracies that used to occur, and the organ’s responsibilities will be fulfilled in an easier way, he said.

"You will be with residents every day, every night, and to earn the residents’ trust will depend on the way you work and the way you behave, the way you listen to them, the way you receive them, and the way you live with them,” said the minister.

"It demands you to be honest, to avoid any wrongdoings, to understand that you work for the country,” he added.

He also called them to make their organ respected, which will make the country and its leadership respected too.

The values mentioned by Minister to help them in their job are; valuing the citizen, honesty, sacrifice, self-respect, patience, truth and discipline.

The course gave trainees different lessons that include weapon handling, discipline, leadership and management, first aid, laws, community policing, among others.

"All these values combined can include in one word, ‘patriotism’,” he said.

On behalf of the government, Kaboneka promised the DASSO to give them what they need to do their job as they should.

Valentin Rutaboba, from Nyarugenge district, said the skills they learned will bring good relationship with the citizens and enable them to fight drugs abuse among youth.

"Special talks with them [youth] and the sport that I have been doing here, I will keep doing it and I will be doing it with youth. So, with these I will stay closer to them every day and that will certainly help,” he said.

The Commandant of PTS, CP Vianney Nshimiyimana, stated that the course gave trainees different lessons that include weapon handling, discipline, leadership and management, first aid, laws, community policing, among others.

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