English
Kinyarwanda
Police and Ambassadors of Christ Choir, on Sunday, engaged youth in Musanze District to educate them on ill-effects of abusing narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and to encourage them to fight the vice.
While addressing the young people at Ubworoherane Stadium in Musanze town, the Vice mayor in charge of Economic development Augustin Ndabereye thanked the Seventh Day Adventist church for their role in preventing abuse of drugs among the youth.
“Faith-based groups can create impact in preventing abuse of drugs if they all stand up and preach against the problem," Ndabereye said.
The event was also attended by pastors from Seventh Day Adventist churches in the Western region.
The occasion was also characterized with baptizing about 1200 young people, who stopped using drugs and
gave their lives to Christ.
Among those who turned their lives to Christ include those from rehab centres and other youth from Musanze, who were engaged in drug related crimes.
"We are using the gospel through songs and sermons to turn the hearts and thinking of the young people who are being destroyed by drugs, God will help us reach as many young people as possible to guide them on how to live a God-fearing life, which include not engaging in criminal and wasteful acts like abusing drugs," Pastor Zophanie Setako said.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alexis Rugigana, the Police Spokesperson of Northern region, reminded them on the side effects and criminal repercussion of trafficking, selling or abusing drugs.
"Besides poisoning your lives, it's a serious criminal offence with a maximum sentence of life in prison.”
He thanked the Seventh Day Adventist Church for this behavioural change campaign and urged the young people to join the efforts by reporting drug dealers.
