37. Drugs
It is a good rule that the saint should keep his
body pure from smoking and excess drinking. And he should certainly keep his
body clean of drugs either of the narcotic or stimulant types unless it be under
proper medical attention.
In such a drug-accustomed world as ours, is it
any wonder that foolish young people, scared of the violence and uncertainties
of the world into which they have been born, should turn to drugs that will take
them into a dream world? Unfortunately there is always the awakening to an even
more terrible mental state as one becomes addicted to drugs.
What is not realized even by the habitual user of
“hard” drugs, is that he has set himself on a course of moral,
spiritual, and physical deterioration which may result in irreparable damage to
the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, and bladder. Or the victim may find himself
suffering from asthma, heart disease, or other serious
ailments.
One of the worst dangers of drugs is that
different people react to them in different ways. A few “pep” pills
have made some people feel over-confident and led them into silly actions.
Others have become vicious and brutal, in a few cases to the extent of murder;
whilst others have become so depressed by the pills as to commit
suicide.
We have to work in the world, or we may have to
leave home for further study. But wherever we find ourselves, and however young
we may be, we are ministers of the Word and lights in the world. It should be
our business to expose the unfruitful works of darkness, meanwhile keeping
ourselves “unspotted from the world”.
The world can be a cruel place; it is also a
testing ground. But we have the assurance that, if we are loyal to our spiritual
heritage, we shall with the Father’s help conquer the
world:
“Whosoever is born of God overcometh the
world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our
faith.”
