Kicukiro District to rehabilitate 200 youth, juveniles

Kicukiro district authorities have set out to rehabilitate 221 people, mainly youth who were rounded up for various crimes.They were arrested over drug abuse and other crimes during a security swoop in various parts of the district.“We want to address the root causes of those illegal activities,’’ said Kicukiro mayor Paul Jules Ndamage.“We have put priority on educating them because jailing them is not the solution.’’Ndamage was speaking on Friday at Kicukiro stadium. Cases for courtsThe district conducted the security swoop from August 5 to 8, targeting drug abusers, drug dealers, street children and street vendors.Among 221, 12 people will be prosecuted for drug abuse and trafficking.Ndamage said it was regrettable that the youth waste time in drug abuse yet they are the engine of development. Drug abusers testify Muhamud Nambajimana, from Biryogo, Nyarugenge District, said he became addicted to drugs 30 years ago and it has been difficult to overcome the habit.“I have not felt serious consequences of drug abuse such as committing other crimes such as physical violence against people, but I have serious health risks because of taking cannabis,’’ Nambajimana said. Another drug abuser, who did not wish to be identified, said: “I am only waiting for death because I have been unable to quit drug abuse. I need prayers because I tried several times to stop it but failed.”For Thomas Twagirayezu, he took cannabis from the age of five until he was 22. Twagirayezu said drug abuse alienated him from his parents, he dropped out of school and ran to the street.Speaking to The New Times, the central region Police spokesperson, Urbain Mwiseneza, said Police are committed to stamping out drug abuse in the country.Mwiseneza said efforts are being put in preventing trafficking or smuggling drugs into the country.Statistics from Kicukiro District Police Unit show that in July, among 115 cases recorded in the Kigali region district, 11 were related to drug abuse.

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Kicukiro District to rehabilitate 200 youth, juveniles