The Pentecostal Church of Rwanda (ADEPR) has enhanced its crime prevention campaign that mainly seeks to prevent the young generation from indulging in drug-related crimes. Late last week, the ADEPR church in Musanze District held a conference that aimed at guiding the youth towards the right path, both in education and legal business. Pastor Theoneste Mbanzabigwi of Muhoza parish in Musanze District said the church has the responsibility of ensuring a crime free society. While speaking at the conference, held at the Musanze stadium, Mbanzabigwi observed that the majority of those involved in drug abuse are youth, which is an indicator that, if the vice is not fought against, it will be a threat to the young generations and the future of the country. "Preventing crimes and ensuring safety and peace is in our core norms, values and principles as a church,” Mbanzabigwi said. "It’s important to remind each other that what we do has something in common with the police work, which is to ensure safer and God-fearing societies,” he added. The conference was attended by over 2500 people, most of them youth, as well as clerics from ADEPR. "Our role as Christians is to look out for each other and easure everyone is a responsible citizen that follow the law and play a significant role in the development of communities and the country in general,” Mbanzabigwi said. The District Community Liaison Officer, Inspector of Police (IP) Viateur Ntiyamira, explained the effects of drug abuse and the laws that punish those involved. In his address Ntiyamira made reference to a ministerial order nº20/35 of 09/6/2015 determining unauthorised drinks and other controlled substances classified as narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors, saying that the outlawed substances affect one’s thinking and productivity, thus affecting the nation. He went on to urge them to work closely with the police and report anyone they suspect to be dealing in psychotropic substances Article 594 of the Penal Code stipulates in its second paragraph that, any person who, unlawfully, makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances within the country, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to five year years and a fine of up to Rwf5 million.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw