To effectively address the issue of alcoholism and its consequences in society, Rwandans must collectively understand its root causes and mull appropriate solutions, First Lady Jeannette Kagame has said.

She made the remarks on Friday, December 15, during a special edition Youth Forum on the national TunyweLess (moderate drinking) campaign that sought to share insights and lessons on curbing alcohol abuse and dependency.

ALSO READ: New campaign seeks to curb rise in alcohol consumption

The forum brought together 1,000 young people from different places and backgrounds to engage with health experts, young artists and professionals, and mental health advocates, as well as civil society representatives.

Dubbed "TunyweLess,” the campaign is aimed at reaching out to people through various means including both social and conventional media, encouraging them to either stop drinking or drink less due to adverse and obvious consequences it has on individuals and society in general.

In June this year, Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) released results of a new survey that showed that alcohol consumption in the country has increased from 41 percent in 2013 to 48 percent in 2022.

ALSO READ: Alcoholism among the youth is a major threat

The First Lady said that the emerging issue of alcohol abuse among young people below the age of 18 both in urban and rural areas, is of great concern for the country, stating that one of the major reasons to address it is because its consequences affect all aspects of life.

"Every time we overlook the bad behaviors, it promotes individualism, yet, as Rwandans, it is in our nature to work together... we should identify the root causes of alcoholism, understand its consequences and put in collective effort to curb it.”

Sometimes, alcoholism is rooted in mental or livelihood difficulties which pushes someone to seek solutions in alcohol, and often, the lack of understanding of reasons for this addiction puts the victim and their family in jeopardy, she said.

"Prevention and eradication of extreme alcoholism is to protect the wellbeing of Rwandans, the family and the society as a whole. We cannot build a country, and ignore what destroys human lives.”

She mentioned that while young people continue to make commendable progress in developing the country, they can still make milestones while finding many avenues of pleasure and relaxation.

During a panel discussion, Dr Yvan Butera, the State Minister for Health, said that alcohol abuse has significant effects on someone physiologically and emotionally.

He emphasized that the consequences are severe on youth especially when it comes to mental capacity because it interrupts brain development which continually takes place until someone is 28-29 years old.

ALSO READ: Concern as alcohol consumption surges in Rwanda

Butera mentioned brain disorder, mental illnesses, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney and liver disease as some of the non-communicable diseases that affect an alcohol consumer.

Alain Nshimiyamana, Founder of Save Lives Foundation, gave a testimony of his journey of alcohol abuse since secondary school where he indulged in it because of peer pressure and became an addict to the point he wanted to commit suicide after realizing the consequences of becoming a burden to his family.

The 26-year-old said he failed to pursue his university education, career, and started to steal things from the family, got jailed several times. He eventually sought help and joined a rehabilitation centre.

After rehabilitation and getting back on his feet, Nshimiyimana founded an organization that seeks to create awareness among youth and provide support to those battling with alcoholism.

CG Felix Namuhoranye, the Inspector General of Rwanda National Police, said that the high level of alcohol intoxication is among the youth, as indicated by the number of young people in rehabilitation centers.

However, he noted that the number of accidents has significantly reduced due to the government’s measure of restricting nightlife hours, whereby there are no longer accidents that were previously reported around midnight and late hohours.

He said that everyone has an individual responsibility to protect themselves and the community at large, as well as respect laws.

Chantal Mudahogora a psychotherapist at Solid Minds –a mental health clinic in Kigali –said that while there are various reasons for alcohol abuse, psychological reasons drawing from someone’s childhood remain the most driver, especially, when one is trying to avoid self-retrospection.

She encouraged parents to be present in their children’s lives from childhood and create a safe and enabling environment throughout different stages of their lives, as well as seek help once they identify their children’s struggle with alcohol abuse and other substances.