Lutherans Join the War Against Drugs

     CHICAGO (ELCA) --  "The nature of chemical and substance abuse have changed in this country.  Current trends show that drug use among children is rising, with the average age falling below 20," said Loretta E. Horton, director of social ministry for congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).  Horton hosted the ELCA's Substance Abuse Consultation here July 24-25.
     "The church is the center of health, well-being and healing.  It is natural for the church to respond to the affects of chemical and substance abuse in the family and in the congregation," said Horton.  "People involved in substance abuse are not spiritually healthy."
     Participants studied the current trends in addiction treatment and prevention to plan for a new substance-abuse resource for ELCA congregations.  "The church has not developed a resource designed to help congregations develop substance abuse programs since 1986.  Next year we plan to make available such a resource for churches and their community," said Horton.
     Charles Blanchard, chief legal officer for the National Drug Control Policy of the White House, said, "The faith community has a role in the effort to reduce drug use in the nation.  The church can help translate words into deeds by supporting the goals of the government's 1998 Strategy on drug control."  Blanchard, a member of Luther Place, Washington, D.C., was a keynote presenter.
     "The goals of the 1998 Strategy include to educate and enable America's youth to reject illegal drugs, as well as alcohol and tobacco, and to increase the safety of America's citizens by substantially reducing drug-related crime and violence," said Blanchard. "Other goals include to reduce health and social costs to the public due to illegal drug use, and to shield America's air, land, and sea frontiers from the drug threat." Blanchard shared new public service announcements that will be used to respond to the drug crisis.
     "We must alert our young people that we do not have to be drunk," said the Rev. Ralph O. Gomez, Alzona Lutheran Church, Phoenix.  "Alcohol is killing children and Indians.  Alcohol is one of our biggest enemies.  It is an evil spirit."
     Alzona's "No More Firewater Please" program is an alcohol abuse prevention program targeted to Native American youth.  Through one-on-one counseling in school, small-group rallies and meetings at Alzona, Native American youth discover alternatives to alcohol and gangs.
     "Life ends because of the addiction to heroine and alcohol; it is killing a lot of our tribal members," said Gomez.  "It is Jesus Christ that sets people free, not drugs.  We must return to spirituality to be truly free."  Gomez is a Yaqui Indian.  Alzona is one-third Native American, one-third Hispanic and one-third White.
     "People in trouble from their use of alcohol or other drugs often have false beliefs about how their use of the drug affects them, said the Rev. Otto B. Schultz, a counselor with the Nebraska Council to Prevent Substance Abuse, Lincoln, Neb.  Schultz gave a presentation called, "Flashing Your Brights: How to talk to someone in trouble with alcohol or other drugs."
     "The simple concept of 'flashing your brights' refers to taking action about someone else's problems without taking responsibility for them," said Schultz.  "Drivers often flash their brights at oncoming motorists whose headlights are switched off.  The one flashing is caring without being co-dependent."
     "The church needs a perspective of its own," said Trish Merrill, director of Faith Partners, an organization of religious leaders working to help faith communities prevent and reduce alcohol and drug problems. "Faith communities offer celebration and solace, spiritual growth and moral direction.  Churches can play a unique role in supporting recovery from addictions and in preventing both use and abuse."  Merrill is a registered nurse in Austin, Texas.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director 1-773-380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html