LIKE ALL OF US, ADDICTS NEED CHRISTIAN LOVE

"Hi, my name is David, and I come from a family of addicts. From
prescription painkillers to alcohol to crack cocaine to finding needles
under mattresses, I've seen firsthand from family members and close friends
the damage that addiction can do."

Those were the first words I said Saturday afternoon, when I was honored to
speak for a few moments during the dedication of Mary's House at Christian
Love Ministries in Peachtree. Once a certified counselor is hired, Mary's
House will allow the Rev. Denny Smith and his staff to serve more women in
a building of their own, increasing the ministry's overall capacity to
53. The need couldn't be greater. As the methamphetamine problem escalates
in Cherokee and surrounding counties - and as unemployment, general
hopelessness and self-loathing causes more people to turn to the bottle or
something worse as an escape from reality - Christian Love plays a vital
role in the health and well-being of our community.

While no rehabilitation program is 100 percent effective, what Christian
Love does works significantly better than most traditional programs. I've
had family members walk into typical facilities and leave 28 days later
only to find trouble within days, if not hours. With a comprehensive
13-week program that doesn't cost students anything but their time and
attention, and a spiritual focus that offers addicts a meaningful
alternative to alcohol and drugs, Denny has truly found his calling.

There's more to come. My talk was on the vision for the future, and I'm
happy to report that Christian Love has many good things planned in the
years to come. That includes: - opening a second thrift store. Land has
already been purchased in Blairsville, Ga., for "The Marketplace, Too,"
which will be built as soon as permits can be secured (hopefully by the end
of 2004). This is vital, as the ministry relies on its store and donations
- - not the government - to continue helping people at no charge; - acquiring
funds to hire a receptionist and nighttime manager; - recruiting more
community volunteers to help people deal with alcohol and drug problems,
perhaps by forming an auxiliary; - training each student in basic
counseling so they can help others after graduating from the program; -
building a social detoxification unit with up to four beds, and hiring a
full-time licensed practical nurse (within 10 years); - producing a video
that shows every step of what has been done at Christian Love to encourage
other communities to build their own centers to help local residents
suffering from addiction.

What a marvelous idea. By sharing their experience and materials, the staff
and students can expand their impact across the state and even the country.
With determination, prayer and support from the community, anything is
possible. It would be wonderful to see the fruits of local labor multiplied.

I do have a more personal reason for appreciating the work done at
Christian Love Ministries. Several years ago, my stepfather went through
the program, and he came out a different man. He's not perfect, of course,
but he now has the foundation for a clean, sober and successful future. I
thank God for that.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, call Christian Love
at 837-7086. There's no better time than today to start feeling like your
old self again - or becoming a new, improved version.