FEATURED: Political parties pledge to join efforts of fighting drug abuse

Political parties operating in Rwanda pledged to join efforts with other institutions in the journey of eradicating the use of drugs in the country. They made the commitment on May 27 during the meeting on their contribution to fighting against the use of drugs in general ahead of the Anti-drug campaign which is expected to start from June 7 to 16. “As the political parties, we need to work with all related institutions to eradicate the issue of drug abuse as well as raise more awareness around it among the people we represented,” said Adrie Umuhire, the spokesperson of the General Assembly of the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations (NFPO). In addition, she said that they learned a lot during that meeting on the use of drugs as well as ways of prevention among others which can help them and society in general to eradicate that vice. Umuhire added that among the causes of drug abuse there is conflict in families, which she said is a reminder to all involved that they have to tackle this issue from the grassroots. The meeting was attended by various institutions including the Rwanda National Police (RNP), Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), Ministry of Justice, and youth representatives among others. Dr. Yvonne Kayiteshonga, the Mental Health Division Manager, at Rwanda Biomedical Centre, said that the meeting aimed to help the political parties understand their role in eradicating the use of drugs as well as taking measures to fight that issue, especially among youth. Kayiteshonga also pointed out that the use of drugs in general, is still an issue, citing some the Rwandans who consume illicit alcoholic drinks to the extent which might harm their lives adding that there has to be prevention to avoid reaching that point because the drugs harm someone in different ways and negatively affect the society. In addition, she revealed that people have to put more effort into prevention and raising more awareness. Commenting on the anti-drug campaign, she said that it aimed to raise awareness of the drug abuse issue as well as calling addicted people to seek health care services and disseminating sensitization materials with anti-drug messages and raising awareness on the utilization of mental health services among others. According to RBC, the weekly campaign is expected to inform different categories of people about the hazards of using drugs and harmful use of alcohol as well as the availability of healthcare services and motivate them to seek care for those affected by substance abuse. In addition, it will be an occasion to urge the youth and students, in particular, to make positive choices for their health and not abuse drugs and their role in early prevention of substance use. The data from RNP shows that from January to April this year 1158 drug dealers were intercepted by RNP countrywide where the most affected areas are Rubavu, Kirehe, Burera, and Gicumbi while the main market is in Kigali. And the main cause of drug trafficking states the low capital required for drug trafficking and the high profit that pushes the community members to engage in the above illegal activities. Officials during their meeting on May 27. Political parties operating in Rwanda pledged to join efforts with other institutions in the journey of eradicating the use of drugs in the country. The data from RNP shows that from January to April this year 1158 drug dealers were intercepted by RNP countrywide where the most affected areas are Rubavu, Kirehe, Burera, and Gicumbi while the main market is in Kigali.

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FEATURED: Political parties pledge to join efforts of fighting drug abuse