Purpose Rwanda is more than a youth centered initiative; it’s a movement grounded in the truth that young people do not exist in isolation. They come from families, communities, and generations shaped by their own struggles and traumas. To address the challenges facing Gen Z and Millennials especially addiction; we must also confront the environments that have shaped them. – Purpose Rwanda
All of us young and old, men and boys, women and girls, Christians and Muslims, youth and adults, Gen Z and Millennials; let’s pause and ask ourselves these questions:
What if we could be the last generation to face the widespread devastation of addiction? What if we decided right here and right now that the cycle ends with us?
We cannot discuss ending youth addiction without acknowledging where young people come from. The answer is simple: we can’t heal a generation without healing the systems and individuals that raised them. That is why the families of those struggling with addiction must consciously ensure that the challenges facing a family member become the challenges of the entire family, as their effects impact the whole family unit. Since individuals make up families and families make up communities, this fight against addiction and the generation it affects most must involve our collective efforts. Together, we shall win this war, as our history underscores that we are not accustomed to failing. We envision success over addiction.
That is why Purpose Rwanda makes a noble contribution to fighting addiction not only among young people but at its very roots: within families and communities. We believe lasting change requires a holistic approach. Prevention, recovery, and support must extend beyond individuals to the homes they return to, the schools they attend, and the culture they grow up in. Recovery needs support as well as prevention efforts. It’s critical that someone in the family initiates a loving and supportive meeting, aimed at confronting the addiction problem. The meeting should focus on both prevention and rehabilitation. This means that the person chairing such a family meeting should be exemplary and, first and foremost, sober.
No one in a family is unaffected when addiction strikes; everyone in the family and the community is socially, economically, mentally, and even physically impacted. It’s a family and community crisis; therefore, it requires a united approach and response.
Through education, community-based interventions, and mental health support, Purpose Rwanda is making a noble contribution to building a future where youth thrive free from the grip of addiction. However, we can’t do it alone. This mission needs partners. It requires support from donors who believe in the power of generational healing, and it calls for young people to take initiatives in education and awareness campaigns as a vital means to better their future a future that every family and community deserves.
As stated before, addiction is more of a community issue than a personal matter. Addiction manifests in various forms: drug use, alcohol dependency, sex addiction, online gambling, social media, and more. This article focuses on what Purpose Rwanda tackles most: drug and alcohol addiction, while also touching on sex addiction as follows:
- Understanding the Scope
The World Health Organization (WHO) report (2024) indicates that “2.6 million deaths per year are attributed to alcohol consumption, accounting for 4.7 percent of all deaths, along with 0.6 million deaths related to psychoactive drug use; notably, 2 million alcohol-related and 0.4 million drug-related deaths were among men”. The report shows an estimated 400 million people lived with alcohol use disorders globally. Of this, 209 million people lived with alcohol dependence.
“Substance use severely harms individual health, increasing the risk of chronic diseases and mental health conditions, and tragically resulting in millions of preventable deaths every year. It places a heavy burden on families and communities, increasing exposure to accidents, injuries, and violence,” – Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General.
The report highlights the urgent need to accelerate global actions towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.5 by 2030, which seeks to reduce alcohol and drug consumption while improving access to quality treatment for substance use disorders.
Although this article did not delve deeply into the scope of substance abuse in Rwanda, considering that the global scope is significant and reflects where we are, it is worth noting that findings from the Rwanda Biomedical Centre did not paint a promising picture in recent assessments conducted in seven districts. These statistics represent classmates, neighbors, parents, and friends. Addiction can rob individuals of their potential, fracture families, and devastate entire communities. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
- The Unique Role of Our Generation
Let’s focus more on Gen Z and Millennials. Generation Z is celebrated for its digital fluency and instant connectivity, while Millennials are recognized for their social consciousness. However, this fluency and sensitivity must be harnessed consciously. Investing in these qualities to combat drug and alcohol abuse is essential; such challenges have no place in our society. Fighting addiction requires brave, honest voices ready to dismantle stigma. This generation must prioritize ensuring that addiction has no place in the lives of the next generation by choosing to do what is right over what is clearly wrong: drug, alcohol, and sex addiction have no future here.
The numerical strength of Gen Z and Millennials should be leveraged as a powerful resource for transformative development. Their efforts must stem from the context of their families, as no parent wishes for their child to be swept away by the tide of addiction.
There is a growing call for the youth to harness their numbers, digital fluency, and sensitivity to drive meaningful change. Patience is necessary; change does not happen overnight. However, a constant search for solutions to community challenges gives purpose to our collective existence. The younger generation should prepare for leadership roles that will help us build an addiction-free community. They must actively involve themselves in the fight against addiction, as this war shapes the next generation’s understanding of a life filled with purpose: a life where addiction is not a part of their culture.
- Prevention Starts with Awareness
In today’s fast changing world, the importance of education and awareness cannot be overstated, especially concerning issues like addiction, mental health challenges, and other social concerns. Education and awareness are the first steps toward creating a healthier, more informed community where individuals can thrive rather than merely survive. Therefore, education and awareness are crucial for preventing addiction before it starts. Purpose Rwanda’s interventions in schools and universities involve teaching real coping skills, emotional intelligence, and mental health awareness from an early age. However, it requires schools, parents, and communities to work together and empower our youth with relevant tools to face real life challenges instead of resorting to alcohol or drugs as a means of coping.
Education and awareness about the risks associated with substance abuse and mental health challenges are sources of empowerment, enabling informed decisions that promote prevention. To help youth understand the signs of addiction or mental health issues are crucial for early intervention. It can empower individuals and their loved ones to recognize red flags and seek help before problems escalate. Awareness and education also involve empowering people to advocate for resources such as counseling services and helplines, ensuring that those in need know where to turn for help.
Purpose Rwanda involves young people in schools and universities by encouraging them to be their brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. The clubs are organized and equipped with knowledge and skills to effectively communicate the importance of prevention, which is better than cure. A recent report from Purpose Rwanda Club of New Life Academy-Kayonza indicates that their efforts have gone beyond prevention; some students struggling with addiction have been helped to recover and refocus on their academic life.
Awareness should involve building supportive communities that create a safe environment for individuals to discuss their struggles and seek help without fear of judgment. Open discussions reduce stigma. It should also include leading by example, where individuals share their experiences, stories, and insights related to prevention. Personal stories can have a powerful impact and inspire others to engage in discussions about awareness and recovery, just like Purpose Rwanda’s beneficiaries.
- Reimagining Recovery
Recovery should be viewed as a form of human capital development and an investment in human resource development. As such, it should be supported by every stakeholder: schools, employers, families, and communities. Individuals needing recovery should receive moral and financial support to seek the help they require. Simply put, people in recovery typically need three things: compassion, support, and connection. With these, they will heal.
- Building a Culture of Care
Ultimately, a successful fight against addiction requires a cultural shift from judgment to love, despair to hope, and isolation to connection. We must confront the issues that are eating away at us: addiction consumes and diminishes us internally. We should not remain in denial or hide our struggles. Instead, we should create an environment where no one fears asking for help. Above all, counselors must adhere to principles of confidentiality. Everyone should feel safe seeking help when needed.
The stark fact is that we need to normalize conversations about stress, trauma, and pain, as addiction often takes root in these deeper wounds. For example, almost everyone who presents to Purpose Rwanda for help discusses trauma-related issues.
- Therefore, Can We Be the Last Generation?
This is an achievable goal. Our history has shown that real change always starts with a bold idea. Transformative change does not happen overnight, nor does the fight against addiction. One thing is certain: by clearly acknowledging its root causes, preventing stigma, pushing for better systems, supporting each other, and advocating for recovery and reintegration initiatives, we can drastically reduce the grip of addiction that holds families and communities captive.
It is essential for critical stakeholders to come together and engage in meaningful deliberation about the challenges posed by addiction. This issue affects every sector of society: healthcare, education, law enforcement, and the economy creating a ripple effect that burdens the government in various spheres. Addressing addiction requires a collaborative and comprehensive approach, as its consequences extend far beyond individual lives. When stakeholders unite to share insights and strategies, they can develop effective policies and programs that not only support those struggling with addiction but also alleviate the strain on governmental resources. By collectively acknowledging the pervasive impact of addiction, we can work towards creating a more resilient society, where individuals receive the help they need and communities thrive without being weighed down by the repercussions of this serious public health crisis.
In summary, let the current generation be the one that makes a significant change. Let us be a generation that views addiction not as a shameful secret but as a public health challenge that must be addressed together. When one person is impacted by addiction, it affects us all as a community. By breaking down the stigma and myths surrounding addiction, we can create a supportive environment where those affected can openly seek assistance that leads to their recovery. It is in an environment of support, compassion, and understanding that stigma as a problem can be tackled effectively. By uniting our voices, advocating for increased awareness, and promoting effective prevention and treatment programs, we can create a society where individuals feel empowered to seek help without fear of judgment. Together, let us champion a future where open dialogue about addiction becomes the norm, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to recover and thrive. As we pave the way for this change, we will not only improve the lives of those affected but also strengthen the fabric of our community as a whole.
Let this generation rise up to end addiction once and for all, forging a future where the next generation thrives in an environment liberated from its grip. When they see a world free from addiction, they will be inspired to embrace that powerful legacy and carry it forward.
Together, we can build a Purposeful, Positive and Addiction Free Generation
