RUSIZI - A week-long campaign to fight against drug abuse among the youth has been launched in Rusizi District, Western Province.

The event to launch the campaign attracted national and local leaders and students from both secondary and primary school.

Rusizi was selected to host the national launch of the campaign after a report compiled between January 2010 and January 2011 indicated increased drug abuse, especially among the youth in the district.

"The increased drug abuse is partially because Rusizi is a border district, often used as transit for drugs from DRC and Burundi,” said Supt Innocent Semigabo, District Police Commander.

The provincial governor, Celestin Kabahizi, called upon the youth to report and despise the vice because of its grave consequences that include domestic violence, robbery, rape, dropping out of school as well as early and unwanted pregnancies.

"You are the strength of our nation and future leaders. You should be agents of change by totally abandoning drug abuse,” said the governor.

He emphasized that drugs also affect security and economic development of the country.
The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Monique Nsanzabaganwa, called on parents to always monitor their children.

She also emphasized that drug abuse is a problem that affects and concerns everyone.

"Prevention is better than cure. Everyone should report people who abuse drugs,” said Nsanzabaganwa, urging schools to form anti-drug committees that will create awareness on the dangers of drugs.

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