Parish will discuss social issues

 ALCOHOL, drugs and sexually transmitted infections are serious human issues affecting many people in Southern Highlands and need to be addressed urgently, a clergy said on Monday.

Rev Walai Were, of the Tiripini Lutheran Circuit in South Wiru, Pangia, Southern Highlands, said this when he told of plans his Undiapu parish was taking to host a conference to discuss the issues.

Were was accompanied by Rev Philip Pirua to talk about the conference following a church gathering in Henganofi, Eastern Highlands.

“The gathering is basically to help people live a life free of alcohol, drugs and HIV and AIDS,” Were said.

“Thousands of Christians in the province are expected to attend the event and preparations are underway.”

He said local MP and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, SHP Governor William Powi and Morobe Governor Kelly Naru have been invited to speak.

Were said many young people had become slaves to destructive habits.