Communities urged to join fight against drug abuse

Communities have been challenged to join the fight against trafficking and abuse of drugs and other illicit substances.Dr Yvonne Kayiteshonga, the head of mental health division at Rwanda Biomedical Centre, made the call at a function that was preceded by a solidarity walk in Kigali to fight drug abuse, especially among the youth.Kayiteshonga rallied parents, educators and all stakeholders and the community at large to ensure a society free of drugs.Nyarugenge Mayor Solange Mukasonga said rural urban migration, especially for children without relatives, has not only increased the number of street children but also the number of drug abusers on the streets.“Parents should be more responsible so that their children don’t end up selling drugs and using them,” Mukasonga said.A 2011 study conducted by the Ministry of Youth and ICT, in collaboration with Kigali Health Institute, indicated that 52.5 per cent of youth had consumed one or more substances at least once in life.The study said because of regular substance/drug use, one in 13 youth (7.46 per cent) is alcohol dependent.Harsh realityChristian J. Kabisa, a participant at Nyamirambo Stadium, said he started abusing drugs in his senior two and it was not easy for him to stop. He explained to fellow youth how kanyanga, a local brew, and marijuana destroyed his life.“I used to miss classes, performed poorly and I became negligent because of drugs until people in our community got concerned because I was on a brink of running mad. Fellow youth, stop abusing drugs when you still can,” Kabisa said.The District Police Commander, Dismas Rutaganira, said the campaign is focusing on the youth.“Drugs cause short-term excitement and long-term negative effects which eventually lead to death,” said Rutaganira to the youths. The objectives of this campaign include getting informed and educating community members, students, parents, and professionals about drugs and their negative effects on individuals and society.Appalling world statisticsAccording to the World Health Organisation, more than 200 million people worldwide abuse drugs at least once a year, of which 25 million are declared addicted. Each year, 2.5 million people die globally from drug abuse-related illnesses.June 26 is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987, this day serves as a reminder of the goals agreed to by Member States of creating an international society free of drug abuse.In its report, the UNODC states that every year an estimated 210 million people use illicit drugs, with almost 200,000 of them dying annually. Drug use and trafficking are not only a health threat, but also threaten global stability and socio-economic development across the world.

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Communities urged to join fight against drug abuse