Students of High Hill Academy in Kicukiro District have vowed to kick drug abuse out of their community and actively sensitise residents in the community against the vice.
The students made the commitment on June 4, during their study tour of Rwanda National Police (RNP) Headquarters in Kacyiru.
During their tour, the students were received by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Damas Gatare, Commissioner for Community Policing, who presented the various activities that RNP conducts in crime prevention, capacity building among other.
“Police is not only responsible for fighting crime and arresting suspects, but also has an obligation to support government’s development agenda in the social, political and economic spheres. This is why we have contributed to programmes like, one cow per family, construction of houses for the poor families and many others,” said ACP Gatare.
Derrick Mico, a senior three student, on behalf of students expressed commitment to partner with RNP in crime prevention by being ambassadors to their fellow youth and communities in calling against GBV and child abuse, as well as drug abuse.
“I had a perception that Police is against the public especially the youth; but after visiting the headquarters and engaging in fruitful discussions, I have found out that I was completely wrong. RNP is a very professional force that is open to partnership with the public – and the youth should be ready to collaborate in this initiative,” he said.
He also called upon fellow youth to be active partners in the fight against drug abuse and importantly share information with Police on anyone involved in such criminal acts.
He also commended the force’s efforts to establish facilities like Forensic laboratory, which he noted is a vital and necessary tool to provide actual and scientific evidences and to make justice more efficient.
Another student, Doreen Mukunzi, commended Police for initiating campaigns and operations against GBV and child abuse, noting that they had had a positive influence in communities.
Damien Nkurunziza, the Principle of High Hill Academy, commended RNP’s enormous effort in maintaining security and for engaging students in the fight against drug abuse, which if not attended to could threaten to destroy the future of the youth.