Marijuana addicts uproot, surrender plants

By PETER WARI
SIX marijuana addicts from Kilunili village in Imbonggu, Southern Highlands, have uprooted their marijuana plants and surrendered to the church in the presence of community members last Saturday.
They invited the Kaupena Papua New Guinea Bible Church (PNGBC) outreach team to witness the burning of their marijuana plants and the destruction of their plant nursery at the village.
Komon Paulus, representing the six men aged from their mid-20s to late 30s, told pastors and community members as well as their own families that they had been living miserable lives for years and had finally seen the need to change and live normal healthier lives.
“Our own people in the Ipulumai and Nombunombu tribes feared us and we were like enemies to them,” he said.
“Smoking and trading marijuana is an illegal activity and we know the risks and do not want to be enemies of the State.”
Paulus said they had not considered or cared about their actions and the impact on their families and example to the younger generations.
“Christians from the PNGBC always pray for us and God answered their prayers by gathering us to make a lifetime decision to quit marijuana,” he said.
Papua New Guinea Bible Church pastor Timothy Kera said marijuana had the potential to destroy a user’s lives and affect them mentally and the decision by the six men to quit and repent to God, was good news for the community.
He said there were others in neighbouring villages that needed to be guided and encouraged to stop growing, selling and consuming marijuana and be better members of their communities.