Drugs and alcohol will never be ‘cool’

Some young people claim that taking drugs makes them feel good. Apparently, youth who use them for the first time are usually curious and just want to experiment.Some youth think that if they use drugs or consume alcohol, it is fashionable. Drug addicts forget that drugs and alcohol take a hold of one’s free will. The craving is so unbearable that one would do anything to get the money to buy the alcohol or drugs.In most cases, teens who take drugs and alcohol have to steal their parent’s money or join gang groups that garb people’s bags at night. Drug abusers use enticing words when they are trying to introduce their peers into the vice. For instance, they say that it is pleasurable and will drain one’s sorrows. However, they conveniently forget to tell them that once securely in the grip of this vice, breaking free is extremely hard. Peer pressure has a large influence on teenage drug-abuse since most kids just want to fit in with the ‘cool clique’. According to Innocent Ninsiima, a Rwandan Youth Representative to the Commonwealth, there is nothing ‘‘cool’’ about using drugs and the vice is inexcusable. “It is unbelievable to see kids taking drugs yet they very well know the dangers of this vice. Most youth know that the act damages their life and it will be hard for them to start their career or have a brighter future,” Ninsiima explained. He further said that the most applicable way of trying to stop the youth from engaging in drug use is to put a stronger emphasis on blocking the ways they access the drugs. “The police are doing a lot of work in blocking the channels these kids use to access drugs. It’s now our role as the youth to sensitise our brothers and sisters to lead a drug free life,” Ninsiima added. Drugs lead to several hazards such as organ illness, depression, social stagnancy, and financial instability.In an interview with Knowless Butera, a renowned Musician and Primus Guma Guma 2012 participant, regarding the fact that most musicians are associated with drug use, she said videos portray drug use and therefore that is how even their private lives are perceived! “It’s so unfortunate that some Rwandan musicians are trying to copy the music videos from the West because they portray smoking and drinking alcohol as a fabulous lifestyle but they forget that it’s negatively impacting society especially the youth,” Butera disclosed. She also said that as musicians they are supposed to be role models to these young people. “We have a great influence on the youth therefore it’s important to guide them well with the messages we convey in our music,” Butera expressed.