The Issue of Drug and Alcohol Abuse and What Servants of God Can Do to Help

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On August 4, 1986, United States first lady Nancy Reagan released a statement that said, “Drug and alcohol abuse touches all Americans in one form or another, but it is our children who are most vulnerable to its influence. As parents and teachers, we need to educate ourselves about the dangers of drugs so that we can then teach our children. And we must go further still by convincing them that drugs are morally wrong.” (US Dept of Ed 2013) Although written 28 years ago, her statement is still applicable today. According to the 2013 National Institute on Drug Abuse, illicit drug use among teenagers remains high. Using Nancy Reagan’s statement as a guide, we will explore the issue of drug and alcohol abuse and what we as servants of God must do to save our children from their destructive forces. “Drug and alcohol abuse touches all Americans in one form or another, but it is our children who are most vulnerable to its influence.” According to national survey conducted in 2009, 72.5% of 12th grade students had tried at least on alcoholic drink. In 2013, 22.7% of 12th graders had used marijuana in the past month. This reflected an increase of 3.3% from 2008. These statistics alone confirm the idea that drug and alcohol abuse affects us all “in one form or another”. It also confirms the statement that our children are most vulnerable. But why? Several factors contribute to the abuse by our children. One factor has to do with family and home dynamics. Children who grow up in a household where drug and alcohol use is commonplace may consider this type of behavior natural and fail to see any real danger in such practices. (Black 2001) Family instability such as divorce, physical and emotional abuse, neglect and financial str... ... middle of paper ... ...nal and spiritual issues and should be addressed with great care and professional intervention. (Clinton 2005) To better prepare ourselves for this critical service, we must better educate ourselves by considering the factors that may lead to these addictions, understand the warning signs and effects and guide them to make better choices as they journey through life. In the first epistle to the Corinthians chapter 6 verse 19 and 20, St. Paul exhorts, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Through God’s grace, we as servants can help our children understand their value to their Creator and ultimately keep them from the harmful consequences of drug and alcohol abuse.

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