HELP TO OVERCOME DRUG ADDICTION IS OUT THERE

Over recent months, the Daily Herald has printed several disturbing
accounts of young people whose lives were lost because of drugs. These
accounts were especially horrifying because they seemed to suggest that no
effort, strategy or program works to free these people from their
addiction. Parents of addicts, I'm sure, are looking for a ray of hope for
their sons and daughters. I write to offer what I know as that ray of hope.

I am personally acquainted with a young woman who had been a heroin addict
for many years. She actually overdosed once, and the doctors had no hope
for her survival. She did survive, but the doctors told her mom that she
would be "like a vegetable".

She has full use of her faculties, is a productive worker, and leads
worship at my church. She has been free from heroin for over three years.

How did this happen? She entered a Christian, faith-based program here in
Carol Stream called Crossroads Ministries International. The program, I am
told, centers around embracing Jesus as Lord of one's life. There is
support and a lot of Biblical teaching. Their hope is to change the way the
addict thinks and renew the mind. The program takes several months to
complete. The facilities are quite modest, and life there is rather
Spartan. There are no white coats. They can tell many success stories.

I know mothers and fathers would do anything, give up their time, finances,
etc., to see their children free. I wonder if the addict is willing to
humbly receive this kind of help in these humble surroundings. I can tell
you one thing: my friend was lost but now she's found.

Kristine Aikenhead

West Chicago