As part of its overall campaign against the use of illegal alcohol and drug substances, police yesterday swooped down on dealers.

It also set ablaze hundreds of Jerry cans containing crude local brew and an unspecified number of marijuana cartons in Mbandazi village, Rusororo sector in Gasabo district.

The crackdown followed a tip from residents and local authorities who contacted police leading to consequent confiscation of these substances.

"We got to know of the existence of these substances through some good locals, and that’s when we contacted police” saidWillie Mutabazi, the Executive Secretary of Rusororo sector.

He said that drug abuse and consumption of illegal local gin (locally known as Kanyanga) has had a devastating impact on the general health and security of many people in Rusororo. He added that many families have been broken due to these illicit substances.

Drug abuse and illegal alcohol-related cases have been on the rise in Rusororo. Up to 107 cases have been registered since January this year.

The Mayor of Gasabo District, Claudine Nyinawagaga, expressed disappointment at Rusororo residents for neglecting the progressive role they had agreed to undertake during her previous visit and instead embarked on brewing and consuming "self poisoning” substances.

"Many of the things you told me to do for you are almost complete.

The health centre which you wanted within your reach is just a few weeks away from operation. But look at how far you have gone drift from self-responsibility to self-poisoning,” the visibly angry Mayor said.

She however commended those who tipped off authorities about the existence of these harmful substances. She called upon everyone to love themselves, their families and country by doing constructive things as opposed to indulging in drug consumption and alcoholism.

The head of Community Policing, Emmanuel Butera, firmly called upon the residents, especially family heads, to live responsibly in order to set good examples for their children.
"How do you expect to raise responsible and positive children when you, the parent, brews and consumes these substances? Children adopt what they see you doing. It is therefore your challenge to live responsibly and give them a good example,” he said.

He also called upon women to take up the mantle of "cleaning up” their homes, village and country by being the first to report and condemn the consumption and usage of these substances.

Ironically, some of the brewers and consumers of these illicit drugs and alcohol, are leaders charged with community policing. Some are in prison and others are still at large.

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