Pubdate: Wed, 13 Apr 2005
Source: New Times, The (Rwanda)
Copyright: The New Times 2005
Contact:  http://www.newtimes.co.rw/
Author: Oski Osiago
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

KIGALI

Three unconnected events prompt me to write this article:

1- A UN report on increasing drug abuse in Africa especially east
Africa. The region fast becoming an important transit point for
narcotic drugs like heroin and cocaine to north America and Europe
http://www.armdiscoveryfund.com/

2- Several tons of cocaine seized at Mombasa port in Kenya

3- Pakistan spells out a fatwa against heroin use as un-Islamic.

4- Here in Rwanda, a local church takes a dozen heroin addicts to try
and help them kick the habit.

5- A report in The East African about increasing narcortics drug use
in Dar es Salaam Tanzania.

The above events clearly show how the drugs are slowly becoming a
problem and particularly for Rwanda a signal that the problem is with
us. Of course, the devastating effects of drug trade and use are quite
common to many of the readers but no harm in bringing them to the
forefront again in this paper.

The most common narcotic drugs in Kigali are Cannabis (Bangi) heroin
and alcohol. Heroin is now available in Kigali and several youths are
known to be addicted to the drug. It is allegedly procured from Dar es
Salaam and Kampala by middlemen and retailed to the said addicts in
small subdivisions of a gram. It is also alleged that some small
quantities are left behind by big dealers who use Rwanda as a transit
point.

The habit was introduced to local youths after the genocide war by
those from Burundi and a few from Uganda. It quickly caught on and has
since spread steadily.

However, the extent of the problem is not very alarming as reports
have it that the drug is sold and consumed only in Nyamirambo.

Between 30 - 40 youths are reported to be addicted to the drug and are
supplied by 3 - 4 retailers who in turn are supplied by 1 - 2 dealers
as they locally known. The drug is too expensive (10000frw/gm)
therefore addicts have to find means to get the money that feeds their
habit. They are all unemployed and in most cases have to pickpocket or
commit outright robberies in order to get money for the purchase. They
steal items such as mobile phones, radios and other household items.
Some police stations are familiar with many of these cases.

The girls are forced to trade their bodies to get the money. In some
cases Aids is not given a thought as the urge to get a dose far
outweighs the risk of contracting the disease. Therefore unprotected
sex cannot be ruled out.

The local authorities have no idea of how to deal with the problem or
the addicts. They appear to be helpless. They are forced to watch as
their children and neighbors children slowly slide into a very
shameful and disgraceful life. They are variously informed that the
disease has no cure. They have absolutely no information on how to
deal with the problem or the addicts themselves.

The police have tried to imprison victims of drug addiction and this
has not yielded much result in the way of curbing drug use on
increasing numbers of young people getting attracted to the habit. I
stand to be corrected as the police are invited to discuss this openly.

Most of the civil society/NGOs cannot believe that heroin is available
in Kigali let alone having a plan to help victims or acknowledge the
presence of heroin addicts.

However, it is not all gloom and hopeless. A local church has taken an
initiative to deal with the problem through helping a few willing
addicts kick the habit. They are doing it the only way they know and
more about this effort will be reported in the next issue.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin