Rwandan Values and Risky Behaviours in Society
Primary 6 · Social and Religious Studies
Rwandan Values and Risky Behaviours in Society
Lesson 3 of 4
15 min
Byiringiro's cousin used to be the best footballer in his school. Then he started spending evenings with older boys who drank alcohol and smoked cannabis. At first he only watched. Then they laughed at him until he joined in. Within a year he had stopped training, his marks had fallen and he had started taking money from his mother's purse. "I thought I could stop any time," he says now. "I was wrong."
A risky behaviour is an action that can harm your health, your safety, your future or other people. Examples include:
A drug is a substance that changes the way the body or mind works. A medicine given by a health worker is a drug that helps you when you use it as you were told. Drug abuse is using a drug in the wrong way or the wrong amount, or using drugs that are illegal. Examples are:
In Rwanda, using or selling drugs such as cannabis, heroin and cocaine is a crime.
| On… | Effects |
|---|---|
| Health | Damage to the brain, lungs and liver; mental illness; addiction; death from an overdose |
| School | Poor concentration, missing lessons, failing exams, dropping out |
| Family | Quarrels, stolen money, broken trust |
| Community | Crime, violence, road accidents, the spread of HIV |
| The law | Arrest and prison |
Stealing, fighting, bullying and damaging property are crimes or wrongs that hurt other people and lead to punishment. Drug abuse and crime often go together, because people on drugs may steal to buy more.
Important
Where to get help in Rwanda (all free): 116, the child helpline, to report abuse of a child · 112, Rwanda National Police emergencies · 3029, Isange One Stop Centre, which helps children and victims of violence at hospitals across the country · 166, Rwanda Investigation Bureau. You can also tell a parent, a teacher, a religious leader or your village leader.
Tip
The 3 Rs: Recognise the risk, Refuse clearly, Report to a trusted adult.
Answer: Any two of: drug abuse, drinking alcohol as a child, smoking, unprotected sex, fighting, stealing, playing on busy roads, meeting strangers from the internet.
Answer: A medicine is used as a health worker says, to help you; drug abuse is using a drug wrongly, too much, or using illegal drugs.
Answer: Peer pressure: the older boys laughed at him until he joined in.
Answer: Quarrels, stolen money or broken trust.
Answer: For example: "No, thanks. I don't smoke," and then walk away and tell a teacher.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
The helpline numbers were checked against the Rwanda Investigation Bureau and Rwanda National Police (link only). The rest of the lesson is written by Ganzaa.
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Quick check
Kalisa says, "Let me try it once, just to see what it feels like." Which cause of drug abuse is this?
