New anti-drug campaign

I recently read an article on msnbc.com titled, “Shocking mug shots reveal toll of drug abuse” by Linda Carroll. The article describes a new anti-drug campaign presented by the sheriff’s department of Multnomah County, Oregon, in which mug shots of repeat drug offenders are collected and displayed in pairs. Each pair displays the first arrest mug shot alongside the latest arrest mug shot. The result is jarring. In most pairings, just a few years have elapsed between pictures, yet in several cases the two images are hardly recognizable as the same person. The premise, obviously, is that making these available to teens and pre-teens will help prevent or at least delay their first experience with illicit drugs. It reminds me of the frying egg visual of the 1980’s—“your brain on drugs.”

My initial reaction is skepticism. Although I was a D.A.R.E. child, I withstood the scare tactics of the 1980’s & 1990’s war-on-drugs and made bad decisions in spite of the dangers. I was a risk-taker who disliked second-hand information; just like many kids today. I made plenty of mistakes. Fortunately, I received a healthy dose of Scripture in my very early years, so I had a reliable filter for all that first-hand information to pass through. Even though early exposure to Jesus didn’t keep me from making mistakes, it did protect me from the addictive power of every illicit drug described in this article. I do not intend to discuss addictive behavior or personality types here, but instead wish to bring another point into the light.

Nothing new under the sun

My skepticism represents disapproval at promoting vanity as a solution. Is it wise to tell young people, “Don’t do drugs because it will make you ugly,” as though being pretty were the primary reason for abstaining from illegal drug use? Does this mean the already ugly people of this world have nothing to lose in taking illegal drugs? I felt the same way about the brain-on-drugs ad campaign, when I was younger. It almost invited the dim witted, “go ahead, what can it hurt!” It bothers me when solutions are put forward that do not actually address the problems. In this instance, the shock of seeing real people ravaged by drug abuse may be effective for deterring some—just as it was effective for some to see the twisted metal and blood-splattered pavement in the shock videos of Driver’s Ed.—but appealing to pride and self love is a dangerous precedent to set, regardless of the short-term effectiveness.

“There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves … proud … without self-control … lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:1-4).

The older I get, the more I am inclined to trust Scripture. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”a Instead of proclaiming the consequences of illegal drug use in yet another way, why don’t we begin to address the feelings of emptiness and boredom that lead our children into first time drug use? “What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.”b This Scripture is a harsh description of the human condition; but it is truth. The conscience testifies to its veracity. The human condition is wretched in its separateness from God. Yet, to find redemption in Christ, each of us must not only recognize but admit to our own wretchedness. Not easy when American culture has been feeding everyone with the nonsense that “you are special just the way you are.” For the past two decades, our culture has dangerously confused sin with enjoyment and touted self love as a panacea. Here’s a question: If improved self-esteem could deliver us from emptiness and boredom, why are anti-depressants so heavily used today? Why is abuse of legal and illegal drugs so prevalent? Here’s the answer: Because we are not created to esteem ourselves highly, but Him who created us.c

Only Jesus and His work on the cross have meaning. His death and resurrection made the way for us to pass from spiritual death into life. Without Him there can be no lasting joy, peace, hope, or love. With Him, comes freedom from the sin that separates us from God. This message will invite criticism. Well, it probably won’t here as my audience is mostly limited to Kingdom-minded people; but, it certainly was criticized in the discussion page of the article. Two people mentioned the truth of God’s love as a means to break the grip of drug addiction, but were quickly and harshly ridiculed as simpletons. “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”d Admittedly, I did not read all 1328 comments. I opened the discussion and searched for the keywords ‘Jesus’ and ‘God’ … I recommend you do likewise to avoid the nonsense.e

As for the new anti-drug campaign: I applaud the public servants of Multnomah County, Oregon for seeing a problem and choosing to try something—even if it’s misguided. If it turns back even one child from experimenting with methamphetamine or cocaine or heroin or LSD or marijuana or ecstasy or whatever new designer drug hits the street, it will not be a total loss. As for those who are perishing: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose” (Jim Elliot).

NOTES
a: 2 Timothy 3:16
b: Ecclesiastes 1:15
c: Romans 12:3-4
d: 1 Corinthians 1:18
e: 2 Timothy 2:16, 23