DEA and other government agencies have done a good job convincing folks

[Guest guest]

The DEA and other government agencies have done a good job convincing folks

that " illegal drugs " are morally ills.

 

To begin with, the idea that altering our mood is forbidden is ridiculous.

Folks take prescription drugs constantly to alter mood. They are advertised

by the megalithic pharmaceutical corporations for this purpose. People are

prescribed methadone, marinol, zanax, lorazepam. valium, and a host of

others. All these pharmaceuticals alter mood, reduce pain, and impair

cognition.

 

The same person taking marinol (pharma s version of marijuana in a pill)

today for appetite stimulation, might have only a month ago smoked marijuana

at home for similar reasons. Yet, a month ago he could have been arrested

for ingesting the same chemical with the same effects, yet packaged

differently.

If there is an issue that impinges on morality, it is that while we

persecute those who are treating their mental or mood disorders illicitly,

we ignore the reason that this occours to begin with. Most folks with

substance abuse problems are simply medicating an undiagnosed problem.

Nowadays, they may be medicating a problem that they cannot afford the

pharmaceuticals for.

And there are thousands of alcoholics who drink for similar reasons.

 

Depression and anxiety are the two most common reasons for use/abuse of

these substances.

Deep depression and anxiety are the most often cited reasons for drinking or

using.

 

Think for a minute: why would we worry more that someone is treating their

foul mood with " illegal drugs " than that about the problem that causes them

to use any drug to begin with. Personally, I would rather have a fellow who

is prone to anxious, nervous, and angry behavior take drugs to reduce these

problems than to have him cause himself and others grief because a disorder

that he cannot control.

 

Depression is the other significant factor with substance abuse. Folks are

often so depressed for so long that to be free from this is a blessing that

death sometimes brings. Pharmaceutical drugs and non pharmaceuticals both

treat this; however, we would place a depressed person in jail because he

chose to treat this condition " illicitly. "

Our system is insane and filled with double standards in this regard.

To complicate matters is the propaganda of the anti drug agencies: that this

is a moral evil that cannot be tolerated, rooted out rigorously, and all

those involved prosecuted and punished. Christians have become convinced

that this is a damn you to hell sin as well. We continue to place more folks

behind bars each day for this " offense. " In Texas they are having to build

new prisons to contain the number, and at present about 10% of folks are

either in jail for this, or know someone who is. Among those whose pre

employment info I have seen over the years, most had offenses of this type

in their criminal records. We are becoming, thereby, a nation of convicts.

It is a symptom of deep unhappiness.

The official position is akin to hitting a man in the head with a hammer

because he has a headache

 

Among those whom I have met at various twelve step meetings over the years

were many a person in whom the image of the Suffering Christ could be seen.

There were also many of person who found God and were the recipients of

visible graces.

 

Does God affiliate with tax collectors and sinners, or with drug users and

alcoholics...does He? Sue He does- those are the folks He came to see. I

also suspect that He is more compassionately concerned about the pain they

suffer inside, than the means they choose to alleviate it.

 

I believe we should work to alleviate the angst that necessitates drug use

of any sort- whether by the billion dollar drug pushers with suitcases of

drugs to leave physicians, or the street corner variety.

 

Michael