There is a
sad reality! But we can help it change
According to
National Institute of Health “Every day, more than 90 Americans
die after overdosing on opioids.” When we use the word Opioids we are
referring to, pain medication that is prescribed by our doctors for various
issues, including Dental work, surgeries, or broken bones they include such
drugs as Vicodin, Percocet, OxyContin and other drugs that are prescribed to
deal with pain. Opioid also includes Heroin that generally bought of the street.
The individuals in law enforcement,
medical community, and treatment providers are estimating the in 2017 that
number could be in excess 150 per day.
Within the church
I’m seeing more and more the desire or willingness to turn the responsibility for
treatment over to the secular community
and para-church community (such ministries like: Rescue Missions, Christ based
treatment programs, ministries like Salvation Army and Teen Challenge). Despite the fact that these ministries have
done an awesome job helping folks, my question is “WHAT HAS
YOUR CHURCH DONE?”
Please understand that as I write this, I come from a
unique perspective: I have been involved in Pastoral Ministry for over 38 years,
and I have been working as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor for over 26 years,
having been a counselor and program manager in both Christian based para-church
ministries including a Recuse Mission and Teen Challenge, as well as worked
within secular treatment programs (secular non-profits or state run programs)
The question I ask every church is simple:
1. What are
you doing to help individuals that are dealing with a substance abuse problem
(could include the Opiates, but also could include Alcohol, Marijuana, Cocaine,
and multiple of other drugs.)?
2. What more should
you be doing?
How can you help those that are addicted?
1. Provide prayer for their struggle as they deal with
the outcomes from their use.
·
This could include broken relationships, injury to
their body, or injury to someone else either physical or emotional.
2.
Provide a
non-judgmental attitude
·
I understand there will always be a debate between the
concept that alcohol and drug use is a “Disease” or that it is a “Sin”
regardless of where we fall in the disagreement. Hopefully we can agree on the
fact “This person needs people to love, encourage, and pray with them through
the process of healing and recovery.
3. Providing a safe environment where drugs and alcohol
are not accessible.
·
This may require you to re-evaluate your policy or
personal position on drinking alcohol or other drugs. When the Apostle Paul’s
writes in Romans 14: 20-23 (English Standard Version) to the church in Rome
beginning in verse number 20 he states:
(20) Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of
God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another
stumble by what he eats. (21) It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do
anything that causes your brother to stumble.[a] (22) The faith that you have,
keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass
judgment on himself for what he approves. (23) But whoever has doubts is
condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does
not proceed from faith is sin
4. Provide a strong support network of encouragement for
sobriety and discipleship as they grow in their Christian walk alcohol and drug
free.
If you
would like more information on this topic, please check out my book @ http://www.revdonallenjr.com/p/books.html
