Drug Abuse Management Strategies and Reduction of Crime Rate among the Youth in Rwanda. A Case of Gatunda and Karama of Nyagatare District

Abstract

The overall objective of the study was to assess drug abuse management strategies and reduction of crime rate among youth in Rwanda. The specific objectives were to assess the demand and supply reduction strategy of drug abuse put in place in Nyagatare District, to examine the rate of crime associated with drug abuse among youth in Nyagatare District, to assess the role of harm reduction strategy of drug abuse on reduction of crime rate among youth in two selected sectors of Nyagatare District and to determine the role of community involvement in drug abuse management in two selected sectors of Nyagatare District. This study used a descriptive research design with both quantitative and qualitative data. The target population comprises the District youth culture and sport officers, social affairs at Sector level, cell executive secretaries and heads of villages. In total they were 225 from whom a sample of 144 was selected. Researcher used a simple random sampling technique and data were collected using questionnaire and interview guide. The analysis of data was done through statistical product of service analysis (SPSS) version 21. Bivarate analysis, mean, standard deviation with 95% of inferences, p-value less than 0.05, simple and multiple logistic regression model were all determined. The study findings showed that 1.672 of mean and 0.617 of standard deviation showed that the application of demand, supply and harm reduction strategies were used to achieve reduction of crime related crime among youth. Findings also showed before putting in place strategies, there were high rate of drug abuse related crime as indicated by the mean of 1.826 and 0.629 of standard deviation. As indicated, the rate of drug abuse was at 4% (confirmed at mean of 1.646 and 0.548 of standard deviation).It also shifted to vary between 4%-8% (mean of 2.007 and 0.705 of standard deviation). Drug abuse related crime shifted up to 16% (as indicated by the mean of 1.639 and 0.696 of standard deviation. The study findings showed that harm reduction strategy played important role as indicated at the mean of 1.535 and standard deviation of 0.566. As indicated, trade restrictions (at mean of 1.957 and 0.830 of standard deviation), involvement of community (at mean of 1.625and standard deviation of 0.553), application of punishments (at mean of 1.772 and 0.674 of standard deviation) were all seen as important in reduction of related crime rate. Thus, the involvement of community measures decision making, taking preventive measures (at mean of 1.806 and 0.519 of standard deviation). As recommendation, there is a need of ongoing awareness campaign of applying different strategies of reducing demand of drug, supply of drug and harm related crime rate. Keywords: Drug abuse management strategies, Drug abuse, Drug related crime, Reduction of drug related crime.