1. Parents, Children, Drugs and the Bible

2. Drugs Are A Menace to Society We live in a drug culture; not just bad drugs, but good drugs as well (consider all the drug commercials on TV) We are not talking about the proper use of good drugs which heal; we are talking about drug abuse or illegal use of drugs that harm (prescribed and non- prescribed); non-medicinal use of drugs

3. Drugs Are A Menace to Society We are talking about addiction, not the proper use of legally prescribed drugs. If a harmful drug like marijuana is made legal and “prescribed” it doesn’t make it less harmful.

4. Drugs Are A Menace to Society Marijuana (“gateway” drug), cocaine, barbiturates (sedatives, valium), amphetamines (stimulants, meth), hallucinogens (LSD), narcotics (heroine), inhalants (paint, fuel, glue, aerosols), etc. Alcohol (ethyl) and tobacco (nicotine) are legalized drugs that harm the body and mind

5. Why Drugs? Bad example of others like family or friends; living in a pill-oriented culture Pressure from peers to conform Escape some unpleasant circumstance or problem; extreme pressure situation; alter the emotions; change the senses; escape reality; gain some pleasure; easy solutions

6. Why Drugs? Rebellion; dissatisfaction; protest against others like parents, teachers, law- enforcement, etc. Prolonged legitimate medical treatment turned into addiction Curiosity for something new and trending

7. Drug Abstinence Get all the facts about the dangers and problems of the drug; be informed Learn to properly deal with problems Be aware of the symptoms of drug abuse so that you can help: sudden mood shifts, slurred speech, new habits, needle marks, money problems, theft and lying, withdraw, clothes that smell, hiding, etc.

8. Drugs and the Bible We are not to be enslaved (addicted) to the wrong things (1 Cor. 6:12; Rom. 6:16) Drugs affect the body and we are to keep our bodies pure and useful in the Lord’s service (1 Cor. 6:19; Rom. 12:1) We are to love God and serve him with our mind and body (Mt. 22:37; Rom. 7:25)

9. Drugs and the Bible Drugs affect the mind and we are to keep our mind sober (Titus 2:5-6); we are to control our mind (1 Pet. 1:13); we are not to be drunk (Rom. 13:13) True happiness is found in the Lord and in the right way, not in drug use (Jn. 13:17; Phil. 4:4,7, 11)

10. Drugs and the Bible When hard things come our way, endure them and be better (Jas. 1:2-4) Turn to God in times of trouble (Phil. 4:6-7; 1 Pet. 5:7) We are not to break the law by using something illegally (Rom. 13:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:13-17)

11. Parents, Children, Drugs Often when there is a drug or substance abuse problem, blame is shifted away from the parents. The truth is, often… Parents are not teaching their children the value of one’s life (Gen. 1:28) Parents are not connected to their children (Prov. 29:13; Tit. 2:4-5)

12. Parents, Children, Drugs Parents are too permissive; they are not controlling their child’s environment: friends, music, movies (Prov. 1:10; 1 Cor. 15:33; Phil. 4:8) Parents are not teaching their children biblical principles (Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4); not teaching them to fear God (Eccl. 12:1; 12:13-14). “Just say no” is not enough!