ARE DRUGS REALLY THE PROBLEM?

When our family moved to Edson, the first thing we heard was how drugs were
a big problem.

Not a great introduction but it didn't scare us off! We've now been in
Edson nearly three years and I still consistently hear concern about drugs
in our community.

It may be true that it is an endless problem but sometimes I wonder if we
really want to make the effort to reduce the impact of drugs. The rumors
are true; drugs are a part of this community. Some people feel they can
spot a drug dealer by where they live or a drug user by how they look.

Yet, many of the people who are involved with drugs are middle-class,
"normal" individuals. They could be your neighbour or co-worker, your
child's friend, or even their parents.

Creating stereotypes is not helpful. The truth is, a drug problem can
affect any family.

The other problem is that we want to blame someone for the situation.
You've likely heard some of the alleged culprits such as youth -- they
don't know what's good for themselves; money -- there's lots of it in town;
schools -- they don't supervise well enough; police -- if only they would
crack down more; the list could go on. Pointing fingers is not helpful. The
truth is -- drugs are a community problem.

So back to the question -- do we really want to reduce the impact of drugs
in our community?

It's a pertinent question because earlier this year when the Town of Edson
sponsored the program "How to Drug Proof Your Kids" less than 10 people
registered. When Holy Redeemer Junior/Senior High School set up hundreds of
chairs for the community to hear Norbert Georget speak about alcohol and
drugs, only between 30 and 40 people came. It seems we are not willing to
make the time, or we think it is someone else's problem.

This is a common stand in our culture. We are becoming more and more
isolated in our own homes and less and less interested in the wholeness of
the community.

We live in a time where individualism reigns supreme. We only have time for
"me" not "we."

Faith tells us that we all share the responsibility for both the problem
and the solution.

Some may remember the old story of Moses and the 10 Commandments. In one
way they were guidelines for people to live together.

That's because God never intended that we would live in isolation.

Jesus upheld that principle when he taught we should love our neighbours as
ourselves.

From a faith perspective this means, if you haven't asked yourself how you
can contribute to a solution then you are part of the problem. We cannot
isolate ourselves from such issues but we need to face problems together.

When we each take responsibility for our own actions or inaction the whole
community benefits.

Parents can get involved, even if they don't think their kids use drugs.
Neighbours have to leave the safe haven of their living rooms to get to
know one another.

Each of us has to do whatever we can to learn about the issues in our
schools, homes, and on the streets.

In the end we become stronger, healthier together.