Pubdate: Mon, 02 May 2005
Source: Edson Leader (CN AB)
Section: Faith Matters
Copyright: 2005 Edson Leader
Contact:  http://www.edsonleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/780
Author: Rev. Trish Schmermund

ARE DRUGS REALLY THE PROBLEM?

When our family moved to Edson, the first thing we heard was how drugs were 
a big problem.

Not a great introduction but it didn't scare us off! We've now been in 
Edson nearly three years and I still consistently hear concern about drugs 
in our community.

It may be true that it is an endless problem but sometimes I wonder if we 
really want to make the effort to reduce the impact of drugs. The rumors 
are true; drugs are a part of this community. Some people feel they can 
spot a drug dealer by where they live or a drug user by how they look.

Yet, many of the people who are involved with drugs are middle-class, 
"normal" individuals. They could be your neighbour or co-worker, your 
child's friend, or even their parents.

Creating stereotypes is not helpful. The truth is, a drug problem can 
affect any family.

The other problem is that we want to blame someone for the situation. 
You've likely heard some of the alleged culprits such as youth -- they 
don't know what's good for themselves; money -- there's lots of it in town; 
schools -- they don't supervise well enough; police -- if only they would 
crack down more; the list could go on. Pointing fingers is not helpful. The 
truth is -- drugs are a community problem.

So back to the question -- do we really want to reduce the impact of drugs 
in our community?

It's a pertinent question because earlier this year when the Town of Edson 
sponsored the program "How to Drug Proof Your Kids" less than 10 people 
registered. When Holy Redeemer Junior/Senior High School set up hundreds of 
chairs for the community to hear Norbert Georget speak about alcohol and 
drugs, only between 30 and 40 people came. It seems we are not willing to 
make the time, or we think it is someone else's problem.

This is a common stand in our culture. We are becoming more and more 
isolated in our own homes and less and less interested in the wholeness of 
the community.

We live in a time where individualism reigns supreme. We only have time for 
"me" not "we."

Faith tells us that we all share the responsibility for both the problem 
and the solution.

Some may remember the old story of Moses and the 10 Commandments. In one 
way they were guidelines for people to live together.

That's because God never intended that we would live in isolation.

Jesus upheld that principle when he taught we should love our neighbours as 
ourselves.

 From a faith perspective this means, if you haven't asked yourself how you 
can contribute to a solution then you are part of the problem. We cannot 
isolate ourselves from such issues but we need to face problems together.

When we each take responsibility for our own actions or inaction the whole 
community benefits.

Parents can get involved, even if they don't think their kids use drugs. 
Neighbours have to leave the safe haven of their living rooms to get to 
know one another.

Each of us has to do whatever we can to learn about the issues in our 
schools, homes, and on the streets.

In the end we become stronger, healthier together.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman