Dear Editor,
Two young teens approached me early this week and presented me with a red ribbon to pin on my clothing in support of Drug Awareness Week in Saba. In support of Drug Awareness, I would like to share a few words on this topic, hoping that, on an island and in a world where drugs are killing more people than cancer and upsetting daily living more than stress, it would have some influence, even if this article only touches one person's life.
Should we stop trying to share positive thoughts with the ones under the influence of drugs and alcohol? It often feels that way because most of the time you get the impression that they do not want to turn away from this lifestyle, as it seems to fit in with the norm – most others are doing it so they guess it must be okay.
But to stop sharing hope would be like telling the little boy who found a beach load of starfish that he should stop throwing them back into the water to try to save them. The boy said that even if he could not save all the starfish because there were so many, he would try to save as many as he could.
If the boy trying to save the starfish could save at least one, his efforts would not have been in vain. If a pastor or church member could bring at least one more person to realise the truth about salvation and how much God really loves him or her, this act would not be in vain.
If one of us could be helpful in leading a life in such a way that we could assist another who has a drug habit to acknowledge, first, that they have a problem, so that they could seek help in overcoming it, perhaps we could be considered a disciple, as it really does take a village to raise a child (from birth until death).
Evangelist Billy Graham once said that if you heard the gospel from one or two persons in the past, people were born again, but in these times it can take up to 100 persons sharing the gospel with someone before he/she understands God's plan for his/her life.
Our young children and our older children are strongly pressured by peers and others to become active in taking legal and illegal drugs that damage the body and mind, which gives a sense of purpose for a while, as there seems not too much else to do on a tiny island in the middle of the sea.
Does boredom cause us pain? Of course it does. Most of us have experienced this at some time or the other. Should this be an excuse to turn to something that will cause more pain, even if it gives temporary pleasure? Moses said he would rather suffer affliction than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a while.
Words from the Bible, however, do not make much sense to a person whose soul is dead or dying; therefore we often get stuck by an insurmountable wall of religion or atheism. There is a huge difference between God and religion. You can attend a church often and still go to Hell. And because many don't know what Hell is, they don't really care too much about Heaven either. So here again we get stuck in a false new-age philosophy. Perhaps we should go back to the basics in Sunday school.
Are our lives really better because of the computer? Does money really make us happy? Does position create better character? Bill Maher of Real Time said last weekend that actors do acting and politicians do nothing. I don't think this is entirely true, but nothing much has been done on Saba this week by any group in relation to Drug Awareness Week.
Isn't there a no-smoking policy for public places? I like to dance, but the smoke totally fills your clothing, hair and body at a night club. Second hand smoke kills. Doesn't anybody respect anybody anymore, or even themselves?
What's the end result then? Beware of peer pressure, at all ages in life, which leads you down the wrong path. The result of sin is separation from God, but the gift of God is an infinite life with Him. Choose the path of living verses the path of dying. Prove God for yourself, don't take my word.
Jeff Johnson
