Church Fetes 400 Drug Addicts On Valentine�s Day

The Northern sector branch of the Action Chapel International in partnership with the Gospel Rescued Mission Ghana, an NGO engaged in the rehabilitation of drug addicts, had feted more than 400 of the addicts to mark the Valentine Day celebration in Kumasi. They also presented to them used clothing worth over GH�4,000.00. The addicts are located at some ghettos at Suame Pearmu, Alabar and Asafo. The Resident Pastor of Action Chapel International, the Reverend James Ofori Atta, counseled the youth not to ruin their lives through the use of hard drugs. Anybody, who attempts to introduce them to narcotics, must be seen as their worst enemy. He said the human body is the �temple of God� and as such it was imperative nothing was done to destroy its purity. Drugs only fuel prostitution, armed robbery and other violent crimes and that is why all must join hands to fight it, he added. The Rev Ofori-Atta, who confessed using drugs in the past, said it was not late for those already hooked to it to give up to receive God�s salvation. He used the occasion to appeal to parents to ensure that they spend quality time with their children and to adequately protect them from bad peer influences. The church should also assist to tackle the growing incidence of broken homes and youth unemployment, which tend to drive many young people into frustration � ending up in the resort to drugs. Madam Lydia Manu, Director of Rescued Mission Ghana, said her organization was working hard to save drug users and integrate them into the society. They have been providing free accommodation and counseling to help transform them. She invited other groups and individuals to help care for the addicts.