THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH in SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION

1. THE ROLE OF THE CHURCHinSUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION

2. When a community is faced with a problem, who usually takes the lead to help out?

4. In the past year, the Church has helped out with… Food pantry projects Housing/shelter assistance Provided clothing Donated funds, food, and clothing for victims of natural disasters

5. Which substance abuse prevention and treatment programs have been supported by the Church this past year?

6. The most serious national health problem is dependence on alcohol and drugs!

7. Does our community have any problems related to drug use and abuse?

8. Does our Church have opportunities to help with this problem? What do we do NOW? What can we plan to do in the FUTURE?

9. Or, is it not the place of the Church to get involved with preventing substance use, or with helping someone who has developed an addiction to find help?

10. Who are the most likely people to need substance use prevention or who develop a drug problem?

12. Most individuals who abuse alcohol or drugs are normal people who have jobs, are respected members of the community, AND many of them attend church.

13. They may be some of our closest friends or even family members.

14. DISREGARD… or HELP? So should the Church disregard substance use problems that exist among faith, community and church members? Or should the Church get involved and offer help?

15. People who use drugs affect the lives of others, too: • friends • co-workers • family • children • church family

16. Many innocent people suffer alone in silence because of addiction. Especially children.

17. What does the Bible say to those who drink or use/misuse drugs? Proverbs 20:1 – whoever is led astray by wine or beer is not wise. Titus 2:12 – renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and live self-controlled lives. Galatians 5 19:21 lists drunkenness as a work of the flesh. Ephesians 5:18-20 – do not get drunk, but be filled with the Spirit.

18. What does the Bible say about response of the Church? Romans 12:4-8 gives a picture of the Body of Christ (the Church) and the different gifts, which include serving, teaching, encouraging, and contributing to others’ needs. Galatians 6:10 – do good/offer help to others Ephesians 4:32 – be kind and compassionate I Timothy 4:12 – be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. I Peter 4:10 – administer God’s grace to others.

19. What does the Bible say about praying for others? Colossians 1:9b-14 reminds Christians to PRAY for others to be filled with spiritual wisdom and understanding; to live a life that bears good fruit; and accept redemption through the forgiveness of sins. James 5:13 the Church can call on the elders to pray in faith for those who are in trouble or sick so they may be forgiven and healed.

20. The Church brings glory to God by serving others and caring for their needs; and PREVENTING harm from substance use is part of that caring for those in the congregation and community.

21. The Church is also in a unique position to help people who have substance use problems to know that they are not outcasts, but still loved and accepted by God and Christian friends, and encourage them to seek help.

22. Should the faith community get involved? According to these Scripture passages, God expects Christians to be ACTIVELY praying for and reaching out to those who need help. And preventing problems before they happen is also part of that outreach.

23. To effectively touch the lives of those in the congregation and community, the Church must be willing to address substance use prevention and treatment.

24. Keep kids involved in church… Statistics show that kids who are regularly involved in worship and church activities are less likely to ever get involved in trying alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs. But… going to church doesn’t guarantee that they won’t ever get involved in drugs or drinking or smoking.

25. Parents and other trusted adults must be diligent to TALK with kids about drugs, educating them on the dangers of alcohol and drug use, especially for someone whose body and brain is not fully developed.

26. If the Church doesn’t take a STAND on the issue of substance use prevention and treatment, then it may be assumed that it just doesn’t matter that much. People may be lost spiritually and physically if they do not find help and support from the Church community.

27. Addressing substance use prevention & treatment in the faith community… The role of the Church is NOT to provide treatment or solve problems that arise from addiction. However… The Church can provide support and help by offering awareness and caring, and by providing educationabout substance use prevention and addiction.

28. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says: “Prevention programs work at the community level with civic, religious, law enforcement, and other government organizations to enhance anti-drug norms and pro-social behaviors. Many programs coordinate prevention efforts across settings to communicate consistent messages through school, work, religious institutions, and the media. Research has shown that programs that reach youth through multiple settings can strongly impact community norms.”

29. D E N I A L People may be in denial about needing substance use prevention, saying… It could never happen to me/us. Substance use won’t happen in my family because we’re Christians/we have faith. My kids KNOW already how I feel about alcohol and drugs.

30. D E N I A L Aperson with the substance use problem may be in denial. He or she… Thinks the problem isn’t that bad. Says, “I can quit any time I really want to.” Tries to convince him- or herself that everyone does it. Thinks it doesn’t hurt anyone else.

31. Things we can do for Church AND community members… Have a Sunday School class or Wednesday night group with a good drug prevention education program to help parents with skills to strengthen and clarify family expectations for behavior; enhance the conditions that promote bonding within the family; and teach skills that allow children to successfully resist drug use. Consistent, positive parental involvement is the most important factor to helping children resist substance use.

32. Things we can do for Church AND community members… Provide substance use prevention resources so that the entire communityknows that the Church cares about the health and well-being of all youth, adults, and families.

33. Things we can do for Church AND community members… Provide substance use treatment resources, so the entire community knows that the Church cares about helping those who need it to know where they can seek treatment, and to know that they are loved by God and Church members.

34. Things we can do for Church AND community members… We cannot hide our heads! The Church must stay up-to-date on current drug trends and other health issues that concern our community’s teens and their families and offer ways to prevent drug use problems when we can.

35. Things we can do for Church AND community members… Promote the Church’s commitment to tough questions about substance use prevention by using access to The National Youth Anti-Drug messages to help us to clearly portray the spiritual and physical benefits of being drug-free. Incorporate substance abuse prevention messages into our outreach ministries.

36. Things we can do for Church AND community members… We can develop partnerships with other local churches: To coordinate training programs, and To share information and substance abuse prevention educational resources that have proven to be effective. We can contact our community resources: For guidance on ways to develop substance abuse prevention programs, as well as For alcohol and drug programs in our area so we can know where to refer those who need treatment.

37. Things we can do for Church AND community members… WE MUST TAKE ACTION! The worst thing the Church can do about substance use prevention and treatment issues is doing NOTHING AT ALL!!!

38. Address substance use Prevention and Treatment… yes, even in the Church! To be totally effective, prevention must be done in every segment of society. Research shows that faith practices help decrease at-risk behaviors; so it is imperative that caring faith communities be engaged in providing opportunities for the prevention of alcohol and other drug abuse in the community.

39. Address substance use Prevention and Recovery… yes, even in the church! Understanding substance use prevention and addiction can be part of the process of hope and healing for each congregation to offer its members and community members, and ….

40. Address substance use Prevention and Recovery… yes, even in the church! …for the purpose of bringing glory to God! Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV): “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

41. This Kentucky Faith Based Prevention Enhancement Site power point presentation was developed with funding provided from the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). Special thanks to Rev. Dan Griffiths, Lothair United Methodist Church, for his technical assistance with this project. For more information on how faith communities can provide substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery information to congregations and community members, go to the Faith Based Prevention web site www.kyfaithbasedpes.com or contact Karen Hall, FB PES manager: 606.584.6134 or karen_g_hall@yahoo.com.