Every year, Rwanda joins the rest of the world to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, on June 26. Recent surveys show that the most commonly abused substances among young people in Rwanda are alcohol (including local brews), cannabis, inhalants such as glue, and, to a lesser extent, cocaine. ALSO READ: United front needed to tackle the threat of drug abuse In an interview with The New Times, Dr Jean Damascene Iyamuremye, the Director of Psychiatric Care at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), said that a study conducted in seven districts found that 28.5 percent of adolescents reported consuming alcohol, while 4.4 percent had tried cannabis. He explained that the average age of first use is around 13 years for both alcohol and cannabis, which puts young adolescents at risk during a crucial stage of brain development. These findings are part of a report released in June 2024 as part of RBC’s awareness campaign. Dr Iyamuremye pointed out that drug abuse among young people is closely linked to mental health challenges. Many young people turn to substances as a way to cope with emotional pain, family problems, or poverty-related stress. However, this often leads to more serious issues such as anxiety, depression, and problems with memory and decision-making. He added that those who start abusing alcohol or cannabis early are more likely to experience mood disorders and are at greater risk of becoming addicted later in life, citing data from the 2018 Rwanda Mental Health Survey. To address the issue, RBC, the Ministry of Health, Rwanda National Police, and the Interministerial Committee established by a Prime Minister’s Order in 2015, have been running joint campaigns focused on preventing and reducing substance use among the youth. Since 2022, the “Tunywe-less” campaign has used mass media, school visits, and community outreach to promote responsible behaviour and discourage young people from experimenting with drugs and alcohol, Dr Iyamuremye noted. “Another campaign, known as “Inzoga si iz’abato,” was launched to educate parents about the dangers of giving or allowing children to consume alcohol. On June 8, 2024, RBC launched a nationwide anti-drug campaign aimed at students and youth. The campaign includes messages from senior government officials and peer-led discussions in both rural and urban areas, he explained. For those already dealing with substance use problems, RBC’s National Rehabilitation Service and clinical services across the country offer a range of support. These include medical detox, individual and group counselling, psychological care, skills training, and help with reintegrating into the community, he added. Stigma is still a problem However, Dr Iyamuremye acknowledged that many people still face difficulties when trying to access these services. “Stigma is still a problem. Many people hide their struggles out of fear of being seen as ‘crazy.’ In some communities, gossip discourages them from visiting mental health centres,” he said, adding that some families still turn to traditional healers or prayer instead of seeking professional help, which can delay treatment and increase the risk of relapse. While the national health insurance scheme covers basic mental health services, some patients still have to pay for transport, certain medications that are not available at public clinics, and drugs from private pharmacies. In rural areas, the limited number of health facilities means that even one trip for treatment can cost a day’s earnings, which discourages people from returning for follow-up care. “To improve access, the Ministry of Health and RBC are now including mental health and substance-use checks as part of general care at health centres and district hospitals. Community health workers are also being trained to recognise and support people struggling with addiction. In addition, efforts are ongoing to make psychiatric medication more affordable,” he said. More than 730,000 youth volunteers are now working in communities as peer educators, helping to raise awareness and guide people to available services, the psychiatrist noted. Dr Iyamuremye said these efforts are aimed at making services more accessible, encouraging people to seek help early, and ensuring both prevention and treatment are available across the country.
