{{You can never get anything good in trade or consumption of narcotics and illicit brew apart from being involving in other crimes like theft and assault and shutting your doors to a better future.}}
These are some of the messages that were delivered yesterday to hundreds of people majority the youth, by former drug traffickers in Kirehe district, during the launch of the campaign against drug abuse and illicit brew in the country.
The campaign is part of the ongoing activities to mark the 13th anniversary of Rwanda National Police which started on June 11 under the theme “Police-Public Partnership for Sustainable Security.”
Evariste Bigirimana one of the former drug dealers, gave a testimony of his previous illegal business saying he had turned wild, spending days and nights in hiding and living an isolated-kind life.
“I had lost hope,” he said.
After abandoning the illegal business, Bigirimana said, he started working with banks where he secured a short term loan to start a small income generating activity.
“Through my small business, I managed to buy a motorcycle, built a house and bought land for agriculture,” he added.
He urged the youth not to fall prey of these criminal businesses and to give no room to those that want to lure them in it by reporting them to concerned authorities.
Bishop Alex Birindabagabo of Gahini Diocese, who heads the National Commission for the Fight against Drugs, equated drug abuse with poison.
“We can’t afford to lose the young generation in drugs,” the cleric said, calling for intensive measures to fight the scourge.
“Fighting drug abuse is everyone’s responsibility. If we put our hands together, it is possible to make drug-related crimes history in Rwanda,” he said.
Odette Uwamariya, the Governor of the Eastern Province, thanked the unique partnership between Rwanda National Police and the province in fighting and preventing crimes in the area.
She said the Police Week has played a lot in further bringing Rwandans together towards a common cause.
She also appealed to road users to also respect traffic rules to avoid accidents.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP), Stanley Nsabimana embarked on laws that penalizes culprits, and warned all those involved to instead utilize the availed government initiatives to start income generating business while the youth concentrate on their studies.
The exercise started with a procession against drug abuse to fight drugs and also included parading five people, who include two women, who were arrested in Kirehe recently with about 90 kilogrammes of cannabis.
RNP
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