The fight against illicit alcoholic beverages in Rwanda is far from over, local government minister Dominique Habimana has said, urging communities to remain vigilant and help authorities eradicate the trade and consumption of such.

The minister was speaking on Saturday, August 29, in Rwimiyaga Sector, Nyagatare District, during the monthly community work, Umuganda.

He noted that the government and communities have made progress in tackling illicit alcoholic beverages and drugs, but the campaign must be sustained.

"The message is clear and easy to understand. We have been fighting illicit alcoholic beverages and other drugs. I thank the public for understanding the need to eradicate them,” he said.

"We have fought them, but we have not yet to eradicated them. There are still people who may be using drugs and illicit alcoholic beverages. We are here again to request you to keep standing with us in this fight," he added.

Habimana said illicit alcoholic beverages, including those smuggled from the neighbouring countries, are not only a public health concern but also contribute to social and economic problems.

He linked alcohol and drug abuse to crimes such as assault and domestic violence, saying resources that should be used to improve household welfare are instead spent dealing with the consequences of addiction.

Youth at the centre of the campaign

The minister said young people remain among those most affected by alcohol and drug abuse, calling on parents and communities to protect them from substances that can derail their education and future.

He urged residents to ensure children return to school as the new school term approaches, saying schools must remain free from drugs.

"Our children should be in schools, not in farms or other activities. They should study well and get jobs to develop themselves,” he said.

"Whoever is found employing children will be held accountable because it is illegal," he added.

Habimana also connected substance abuse and indiscipline among young people to the challenge of unwanted pregnancies, particularly in Eastern Province.

Eastern Province has continued to record a high number of teenage pregnancies, a situation officials say requires stronger cooperation between parents, communities and young people.

A former addict shares his story

For some residents, the campaign against illicit alcohol and drugs is personal.

Musa Nshimiyimana, 35, told residents how drug and alcohol addiction affected his education, marriage and relationship with the community.

"I started using drugs when I was 15 and I dropped out in Senior Three,” he said.

While some of his former classmates went on to secure jobs in the public service or establish businesses, Nshimiyimana said his addiction led him into repeated problems, including imprisonment and being taken to transit centres.

"I was a threat to society,” he said.

He eventually separated from his wife after a short-lived marriage.

Nshimiyimana, who now earns a living by selling water, encouraged residents, particularly young people, to stay away from illicit alcoholic beverages and drugs.

"I am thankful that there is a fight to end these drugs,” he said.

Claudine Uwamahoro, a single mother from Rwimiyaga sector said protecting children from social problems is essential to securing their future.

"What I want is to educate my children so that they can develop themselves,” she said, urging parents to ensure children remain in school.

Community policing key to security

Addressing residents, Commissioner of Police (CP) Vincent Sano, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in Charge of Operations at Rwanda National Police, said security should no longer be viewed only through the lens of conventional crimes.

He said sustainable security depends on communities taking responsibility for identifying and addressing problems that threaten their welfare.

"Police alone cannot guarantee security. Sustainable security is the one we achieve through community policing,” he said.

Sano said crime levels have declined over the years, attributing the progress partly to cooperation between communities and security institutions.

But he talked about how security challenges are evolving and now include drug and alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancies and smuggling through porous borders.

"We are all concerned about our youth who are putting their lives in danger,” he said.

"You are the strength of our country. We need you to be part of fighting drugs and illicit alcoholic beverages. This country needs you, but you also need to do your part to be sober, healthy and contribute to national development," he said.

In a recent nation-wide campaign, illicit alcoholic beverages worth over Rwf 2.6bn were seized during an intensified crackdown and over Rwf360 million if fines were imposed.

Close to 250 production sites that were involved in illicit alcoholic beverages were shut down after they were inspected according to the officials.

Disaster preparedness

The Umuganda session also focused on disaster preparedness, particularly as the country enters a period of increased rainfall.

Residents were urged to reinforce roofs, clear drainage channels and avoid risky behaviour during thunderstorms, including sheltering under trees, walking barefoot and using mobile phones during lightning.