Part I

The abuse of illegal chemical narcotics in our nation (and world) is reaching epidemic proportions, far beyond any practical reach of law enforcement. It is a large-scale decision making problem affecting society in a costly and desperately wicked way. Jails, prisons, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities accommodate millions of people worldwide who are captive to a way of living that harms themselves, others, and our very civilization itself. Any civilization experiencing large-scale catastrophic harm becomes progressively weakened.

Using drugs is a way of living. The way one lives his life is based on personal decisions. The decisions one makes are based on an individual moral system. The arrangement of moral values within each of us is based on a belief system. A belief system is the very thing that shapes our lives and determines our providence. Living by false beliefs is the quickest way down.

Now that I have set the stage to draw attention to an alarming epidemic affecting the health of our great society, let’s get down to the core of the problem. The central problem of all addiction is this: BELIEF. Since we all act on what we believe, let’s make certain we have it right. When it comes to the belief system of one who takes drugs, there are many causative factors that lead to the broken-down moral system that governs their lives. When it comes to society at large, there are many wrong beliefs fueling insufficient philosophical approaches to treatment and the overall problem itself. Neither the addict nor society has their thinking right.

An addict thinks he can hide from his problem, while society hides the addict from his problem… and on goes the merry-go-round. Is not hiding from problems a form of evasion? How can we cure that which we cannot see? Is this not wishful thinking?