Gisagara District has recorded a sharp decline in reported crime, with monthly cases falling from more than 100 to 21 as authorities intensify efforts to combat substance abuse and illicit alcohol production.
District authorities attribute the drop partly to the involvement of young people who previously struggled with drug use but have since undergone rehabilitation and joined cooperatives.
The young people are now working with local authorities to help prevent substance abuse and provide information on places where illicit alcohol and other harmful substances are produced or distributed.
Some of those involved previously spent time in rehabilitation centres after being arrested for drug-related offences. They say counselling and rehabilitation helped them turn their lives around, and they are now using their experiences to discourage others from following the same path.
Gisagara District Mayor Jerôme Rutaburingoga said their contribution has been valuable because they understand the networks and practices associated with substance abuse.
“Crime has decreased. This month, for example, we recorded only 21 crimes, whereas we used to have more than 100 cases reported to RIB,” Rutaburingoga said.
He attributed the improvement to several measures, including working with rehabilitated youth, shutting down facilities involved in producing illicit alcohol and pursuing people who continue to engage in the illegal production and distribution of such products.
“We use these young people, and the closure of the factories where most of these substances originated, together with continued efforts to track down those producing them, has contributed to the decline,” he said.
The development comes amid a nationwide crackdown on illicit and non-compliant alcoholic beverages. Rwanda has recently intensified inspections and enforcement against manufacturers and distributors, with authorities linking illicit alcohol to a range of public health and security concerns.
Rehabilitated youth find new roles
Young people who have left rehabilitation programmes say they are now focused on rebuilding their lives through activities including livestock farming and cooperative-based income-generating projects.
Their involvement in community prevention efforts is also giving authorities an additional source of information for identifying risks associated with substance abuse.
Gisagara authorities say they will continue combining rehabilitation, community participation and law enforcement to sustain the decline in crime and prevent substance abuse from undermining the safety and wellbeing of residents.
