The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Rwanda National Police (RNP) and the National Rehabilitation Service (NRS), has launched a 10-day national campaign aimed at preventing and combating drug abuse and its harmful effects. The campaign officially began on June 16, ahead of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed every June 26.
Held under the theme “Preventing and Treating Drug Addiction is Everyone’s Responsibility,” the campaign seeks to raise public awareness about the consequences of drug use and to promote collective efforts in prevention and recovery.
Speaking at the launch event, Dr. Darius Gishoma, Director of the Mental Health Division at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), emphasized that drug abuse severely affects the human body and urged communities to prioritize prevention.
“No organ is spared from the brain to the liver and heart,” Dr. Gishoma said. “The key message is prevention. That’s where we need to focus our energy.”
Dr. Gishoma also encouraged families and communities to support those struggling with addiction and to help them reintegrate into society.
ACP Boniface Rutikanga, spokesperson for the Rwanda National Police, reported that over 2,000 drug-related offenses had been registered in 2025 alone, leading to the arrest of 683 individuals for trafficking, possession, and use of illegal substances.
“Drug abuse weakens our country by taking away the strength and productivity of our youth,” ACP Rutikanga noted. “We all must take part in stopping this threat.”
Fred Mufulukye, Director General of the NRS, highlighted the broad social impact of drug addiction, from school dropouts to job losses. He revealed that over 1,600 individuals had either left school or lost jobs due to substance abuse, and more than 6,200 people are currently undergoing rehabilitation in the country’s centers.
“This is not the work of one institution,” Mufulukye stressed. “We need the whole society families, schools, communities to play a role in this fight.”
As part of the campaign, officials will engage in outreach activities, media discussions, and community education programs to spread messages of prevention, early treatment, and social responsibility.
