Grandfather apologises for introducing marijuana to village

A GRANDFATHER has apologised for introducing marijuana to his village 25 years ago, telling the people and church leaders he made a mistake.
Mathew Rot, a father of 10 who now has seven grandchildren, was among 28 marijuana addicts who vowed not to smoke or cultivate marijuana again.
Rot and others attended the opening of a prayer house built by the church at Mikiwiki village in the Kotna local level government in Dei, Western Highlands.
Dei police commander Sergeant Namba Kop, Pastor Joe Aki, counsellors Samuel Put and Mokpa Kundi Miti of the local wards, district administration representatives Sami Kei and Las Aki and church members attended the event.
Rot told the people at the Kenembo Seventh-day Adventist Church ground that in 1974, he bought three seeds from Eastern Highlands to plant in the family garden.
It spread and people became aware of marijuana. Kop thanked the church for stopping the use of drugs.
“The word of God is more powerful,” he said.
“It changed the lives of these 28 men. Police use guns to try to stop them but we cannot.”
Pastor Aki was happy that the 28 had agreed to change.