Eastern Province

RWAMAGANA – Alcohol and drug abuse have been ranked as top most crimes in Rwamagana District.A monthly report released on July 30, at a recent security meeting attended by security and district officials, revealed that illicit local brew popularly known as ‘Kanyanga’ and marijuana are the most common forms of drugs abused.

The report indicates that drug abuse is wide spread with nearly all sectors affected. Almost the 14 sector executive secretaries reported the cases.

The report says that a vast majority of the drug abusers in the district are youths, including students.

"The youth are the most affected. They go as far smoking marijuana and drinking ‘Kanyanga’ in the communities around their schools. It is lamentable that I discovered my son who is in senior five was among the students in such groups,” one parent said.

Most of high school students The New Times talked to stated that marijuana is easily accessed in local communities.
Teachers in the area blame drug abuse among students on peer influence and laxity of parents.

"During adolescence, peers become a major influence because of the increased time spent with them outside of their homes. Some teens feel pressured to fit in and copy what their friends are doing. Consequently, teens that have friends who use drugs are more likely to use drugs themselves,” Jean Muganda a teacher observed.

Other crimes in the report include theft, rape, Genocide ideology, domestic violence, and suicide.

Authorities at all levels in the district agreed to be more vigilant to end the crimes.

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