The first lady Jeannette Kagame has led a nationwide campaign against alcohol and drugs of which she noted that a big number of youth have been addicted to, notwithstanding the side effects.
The first lady said parents should come up to take fore front step to fight these addictions among Rwanda children.
“For parents and guardians who are here, therefore, it is paramount that we put much attention on our job of bringing up and protecting those under our guardianship”. The first lady said while addressing a high level meeting on drugs and alcohol abuse which is also been followed by a number of promos running on different media houses.
She said parents should assume responsibilities of talking to the youth about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.
The meeting was convened to highlight the increasing drugs and alcohol abuse among the youth in the country today and how to address the problem.
She called upon hotels; night clubs and bars owners who had turned up for the meeting to also get involved in the fight to cub the vice.
This follows the recent warning of the Youth Minister Jean Philbert Nsengimana that there are laws which prohibit giving under age alcohol and other related vices that lure youth into such vices.
“We are not here to stop you from making profits, but you should also consider the future of these young people,” First Lady also chairperson of Imbuto Foundation said.
She also requested lawmakers to come out with clear legislative guidelines on alcohol and drug abuse.
Joseph Uwagaga, a 24 year old testified his alcohol and drug addiction since he was 11 years of age showing the dangers of alcohol and drugs abuse.
By October 2011, 2,090 kilogrammes of cannabis and 7,056 litres of illicit brew had been seized and destroyed.
According to police statistics alcohol and drugs abuse tops crime list causing threat to development and security and that between the ages of 18 and 35 years have been arrested involved in the trade.
While illicit brew is produced in the country, most drugs consumed like cannabis, brown sugar, heroin and others, are smuggled from neighboring countries.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Vianney Nshimiyimana, says the problem is a complex than available statistics because some of the cases are not recorded, especially those involving underage children.
ENDS
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