The news has talked a lot about the arrest of actor Robert Downey Jr. He was on the Alley McBeal TV show. He is being sent to drug rehab. What should we do regarding drug addicts? Should they be put into jail or put into treatment. The Salvation Army which is a church denomination feels called by God to help drug addicts through rehab centers associated with their churches. Is this something that we as the AME church should model and provide for our communities. Our mission statement says we are to go to the sick and poor. Does include drug addicts?

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Answers

Dear Rev. Rogers, The Salvation Army has been an integral part of our efforts to help individuals who are chemically dependent in Richmond, Va. As one who works with providing services to the homeless, I am well aware that chemical dependency is a contributing factor to homelessness. The Salvation Army has been successful in addressing this very common problem because of the grace of God. It has also received revenues from donations and its business enterprises such as its thrift shops. I certainly believe that the AME church should address chemical dependency. However, a significant amount of capital will be needed to do so. In Richmond, Va., the Salvation Army has a shelter for the homeless and a drug rehabilitation center.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Jazzman thank you for your important work with the homeless. Having a christian doing this important work is a reflection of the work of Christ. You are right that the Salvation Army has several facilities in place. I have two questions for you. Is the homeless situation getting any better in our country. I know in my town some of us having been trying to get a shelter for the homeless and transient built. It has been so frustrating, because our town is a ski resort and in the summer millions of dollars are pumped into our economy because my town is so near Yellowstone National Park. So there are those who prefer to give homeless people a one way bus ticket out of town in order to keep the town beautiful for tourists. My second question is this: do you think the AME church should partner with the Salvation Army to work with drug addicts. Again thanks so much Jazzman for all the good work you do, I know God will bless you!

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

I know of an AMEC that accepted money from a druglord who was the nephew of one of the stewards of the church. However this druglord was shot to death as he was also a gangleader. The pastor who did his funeral, gave the gangmembers permission to have a gun salute at the graveyard. I was waiting for the pastor to extend the invitation to christian discipleship because most of the people who were present were gangsters but he did not instead he got down to the gangsters level.

-- Anonymous, May 01, 2001

Dear Rev. Rogers,

I don't have specific data to suggest whether the homeless situation nationwide is getting worse. However, I plan to attend a national homeless conference in Washington, D.C. this summer and I imagine that I will have specific numbers at that time. I think that one can say that in the most wealthiest country per capita that homelessness is on the rise. I would imagine that all of us have a fear of being homeless. Consequently, we adapt to this fear in a variety of ways. Should the AME church form a partnership with the Salvation Army to work with drug addicts? Absolutely!!! It will be expensive and of course require some trained counselors, social workers, volunteers and capital to provide care to this population. The Holy Spirit constantly reminds me not to be judgemental when working with individuals who are chemically dependent. It is very frustrating and I need Him to remind me daily because otherwise, it would limit my ability to help them. Judgement is to be left to Jesus. I have learned that cocaine and heroin addiction are some of the most wicked addictions in this world. Cocaine produces a euphoria that lasts for only 15 minutes according to the clients that I have interviewed. They may spend from 20 to 200 dollars a night to get this experience. Heroin produces a sedative like state and it may last for 12 hours or more. This psychological and physiological craving causes an addicted person to avoid sleeping, eating, or bathing in pursuit of this drug. It has also caused both men and women to sell their bodies in pursuit of the money to get this high. The drug addict is nothing more than a pitiful victim of one of satan's deceptive traps. However, thank God for those churches like the Salvation Army who have drug rehab programs. Thank God for those baptist churches who have ministers who have been in recovery for 20 plus years and are now focusing their efforts on reaching out to others who are chemically dependent. Thank God for the Alcoholic Anonymous program which has a manual which I consider divinely inspired. Thank God for the role of the church in addressing this problem.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, May 01, 2001