It could be the first step in fulfilling the hazy dream of many a reggae artiste.

Marijuana, considered as dangerous as cocaine and heroin in the statute books, remains illegal in all East African countries.

However, this may change. In June last year, Rwanda took the initial steps in legalising marijuana strictly for medical purposes, the first country in Africa to do so.

The proposed law provides that marijuana will only be administered in health institutions to relieve pain or to treat mental problems.

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Many sources including the media, police reports, etc, have revealed that drug and alcohol abuse have affected every area of society in Rwanda. The levels are of course still very low compared to other countries in the region.

An addiction is a compulsion to use a substance or persist with certain behaviour in order to feel good or to avoid feeling bad. It can dominate your mind, and keep you coming back for more, while some habits can also create a constant craving in your body. An addiction is different for everyone, depending on your vice and the kind of person you are.

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Police in the Biryogo area seized and burnt eight hundred and fifty kilogrammes of opium worth Frw22 million. Also impounded were one hundred and fifty litres of diluted methanol, which was being sold to people as alcohol for consumption.

"I commend the recently elected authorities for this commendable work after only one week in office; this shows that a lot will be achieved by the end of their tenure and we pledge full cooperation," Supt. Jean Claude Kajeguhakwa, the Kigali City police chief, told residents of the area commonly known as Tarinyota.

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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.

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