Clergy Talk...

DON'T HOLD YOUR TONGUE - SPEAK OUT AGAINST DRUGS

Did you ever wonder if among the thousands of people Jesus fed with a
few fish and five loaves of bread, some complained about finding bones
in the fish or lumps in the bread?

Some people seem unable to be happy about anything. There might be
truth to the notion that those who spend their energy being grouchy
all day, always barking about something, are likely to be dog-tired at
night.

The book of James has a lesson regarding complaints and misuse of
tongues. "How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the
tongue is a fire."

As Christians, let us use our tongues to light the fire for the good,
rather than for gossip and destruction.

The Vulcan Ministerial Association has recently challenged the
attitude towards drugs in Vulcan County. We have called upon our
elected officials to direct such resources as they can muster to
eradicate this source of so much evil and suffering from this county.
At the same time, we call upon all citizens to assist in supplying
such information and assistance to the authorities as they can. The
abusers of drugs also need our help and sympathy. Help is available
and the addicts and their families must be encouraged to seek out this
help. Our children must receive as much education about drugs, their
effects and the eventual cost to help them make the correct choices
here and now, and also if they leave Vulcan County to pursue
educational or employment opportunities far from home. But it is up to
the citizens of Vulcan County to let our elected officials know that
drug proliferation is not acceptable in our towns and villages. This
problem will not go away, nor will it remain hidden. We all will pay
the price for ignoring drug abuse in human, as well as financial
terms, as more and more addiction centres, hospital beds and
counselling services are required to treat the epidemic.

Your tongue is fire. To remain silent will mean that you support the
drug dealing taking place in your area. I am sure this is not the
case, so if you do encounter your mayor, reeve or councillor on the
street, take a moment to express your views on drugs. Let your tongue
be the flame that will ignite action in this war on drugs.