Just about any time Kathy and I travel we go past a wreck. We are thankful when we see the occupants of the wrecked auto standing, dazed, off the side of the road. It means they are probably OK. I went by a wreck the other day--little SUV upside-down with the roof crushed--and had one of those "knot in the stomach" moments. I didn't see how anyone could have gotten out of that one alive. We are all familiar with traffic accidents and their accompanying fatalities. It is a part of modern life.
Most of us are a bit more insulated from deaths related to drugs. The latest statistics in my state, however, show that more died from heroin and opioid use than from vehicle crashes in 2014 (here). I'm not sure how the dead are sorted in the accounting that led to this grim conclusion, but I suspect it's even worse than that. I just read an article about the jail here in my little mountain community. It is filled to over capacity. Most of the inmates are there, in one way or another, because of drugs. One of the recent residents at our little prison on Main Street just pleaded guilty to a murder committed in a robbery. The proceeds of the theft were used to buy drugs. I'm not sure how that man's death is counted in such surveys. Another inmate has been charged with capital murder. Again the crime is drug related. If he is executed does his death go in the drug-death column? What about the babies who don't make it because their moms poison them with the drugs they take during pregnancy, or the suicides of those who find life hopeless, because they or a loved one are horribly addicted?
I live in a quiet little town. Twice, I've had property that belongs to me broken into. Both times it was police who bashed in a door to arrest someone on drug related charges. On both occasions concern to preserve life motivated the violent entry.
Maybe my view is skewed, but I don't think by that much. We can't just ignore what is going on around us. This may not be much, but here are a couple of things we can do:
- In recent years it has become very popular for clergy and other Christian leaders to publicly drink alcohol and even encourage its use. As leaders in the church we need to make absolutely sure that we model a clear example of responsible behavior. I sometimes wonder whether our elevation of personal freedom has kept us from seeing broader responsibility.
- There are ministries that are doing the terribly hard work of reaching out to addicts. Their work is often messy. It is frequently unrewarding. We should encourage these brave, hearty souls.
- We ought to reach out with love and compassion to those who are addicted and those who are hurt by the addiction of loved ones. Most of us aren't trained counselors and we don't have a network of professionals at our disposal, but, if we know the Lord, we do have the word of God, the hope of the Gospel, and the power of the Holy Spirit on our side. My experience is that we will often fail, but we will sometimes succeed. We have to try!
So, if you get in your car or truck today, buckle up. And, before the day is over, stop and ask the Lord,
Lord there are hopeless and, apart from You,
hopelessly addicted people out there.
How can I make a difference?"
Amen.
It's STTA.
You'll find hope here. | 
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