A growing shift toward harm reduction is encouraging parents and guardians to respond to children who use drugs with compassion and support rather than punishment, as experts warn that stigma continues to push many young people away from care.

The call was made during a two-day harm reduction awareness and dialogue session held in Nyarugenge District from September 10 to 11. Organised by Health Development Initiative (HDI), the training brought together parents, guardians and relatives of people who use drugs (PWUD) to discuss drug use, its health and social impacts, and ways families can support recovery.

Participants were also trained on responding to drug-related emergencies, including overdose, and were linked to available health, harm reduction and social services.

Giscard Mwizerwa, a counsellor in drug addiction and harm reduction at HDI, said many families still struggle to separate the person from the condition.

"Too often, stigma affects both people who use drugs and their families. We wanted parents to understand how to respond without worsening the situation. These are not burdens, they are people who need care, treatment and dignity,” he said.

From punishment to understanding

For many parents, drug use is often discovered only after noticeable behavioural and physical changes.

One participant said families frequently realise too late that a child is struggling.

"Sometimes we only notice when it has already progressed. They hide it well at first, then begin to lose weight, withdraw, and stop communicating,” she said.

She admitted that her initial response had been to involve law enforcement and apply strict punishment, but the training changed her approach.

"I used to think being harsh was the only way. I would punish him, but now I understand that what he needs first is love, patience and support so that he can accept treatment,” she said.

Mwizerwa said harm reduction focuses on reducing the health and social consequences of drug use while connecting people to essential services such as HIV testing, condoms, treatment and psychosocial support.

"People who use drugs often face high risks of HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis and overdose, yet stigma keeps many away from care. We are working to change that,” he said.

Recovery requires family support

Laurent Ntakirende from Icyizere Psychotherapeutic Centre said recovery is possible when families remain involved throughout treatment.

The centre currently supports more than 200 people affected by drug dependence, including those on opioid agonist and medication-assisted treatment.

"We have seen people decide to stop using drugs, start treatment, attend counselling and rebuild relationships—but this only works when families provide non-judgmental support,” he said.

He cautioned against stopping methadone treatment without medical guidance, saying it can disrupt recovery progress.

Antoine Hagenimana, in charge of alcohol and drug use disorders at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), said some children begin using drugs as early as 13 or 14 years, making early intervention critical.

Parents carry a major responsibility

Children should not be rejected as burdens. Recovery takes time, patience and consistent support, it is not like treating malaria,” he said.

HDI said similar awareness sessions have also been conducted with journalists, local leaders, law enforcement officers, Rwanda Correctional Service staff and district health practitioners as part of broader efforts to strengthen harm reduction responses in the country.