Some Federal agencies are reporting that there is a marked increase in abuse of so-called "club drugs" among our young people. In many cases these young people are 12 to 18 years old. Now it has spread into older young people who are away from home in college.
What are some of these illegal drugs? The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has issued a warning about Club Drugs with some valuable information for parents, teachers and community leaders. Here are some excerpts from this report: "This term refers to drugs being used by young adults at all-night dance parties such as "raves" or "trances," dance clubs, and bars. MDMA (Ecstasy), GHB, Rohypnol, ketamine, methamphetamine, and LSD are some of the club or party drugs gaining popularity. NIDA-supported research has shown that use of club drugs can cause serious health problems and, in some cases, even death. Used in combination with alcohol, these drugs can be even more dangerous. Thus, we are issuing this alert to aid communities in identifying and responding to this threat to the health and safety of their young people. MDMA is taken orally, usually in a tablet or a capsule. MDMA`s effects last approximately 3 to 6 hours, though confusion, depression, sleep problems, anxiety, and paranoia have been reported to occur even weeks after the drug is taken. MDMA can produce a significant increase in heart rate and blood pressure and a sense of alertness like that associated with amphetamine use. The stimulant effects of MDMA, which enable users to dance for extended periods, may also lead to dehydration, hypertension, and heart or kidney failure. MDMA can be extremely dangerous in high doses. It can cause a marked increase in body temperature (malignant hyperthermia) leading to the muscle breakdown and kidney and cardiovascular system failure reported in some fatal cases at raves. MDMA use may also lead to heart attacks, strokes, and seizures in some users. MDMA is neurotoxic. Chronic use of MDMA was found, first in laboratory animals and more recently in humans, to produce long-lasting, perhaps permanent, damage to the neurons that release serotonin, and consequent memory impairment." Please go to this web site for more details and learn more about how we can educate our beloved Cedar Key community against this continued threat. http://www.drugabuse.gov/ClubAlert/Clubdrugalert.html Someone may read this article and say: "Hey Preach, now you've stopped preaching and gone to meddling in our personal affairs." Folks, there are some elements of this illegal drug business that are so diabolical that they must be devised by the champion of deceit himself. The illegal drug trade is capable of destroying the lives of many young people in our generation. The Bible constantly warns Christians against following the ways of darkness. Jesus Christ said: "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (John 3:19-21 NIV) We understand that the motivation of "easy money" is what is behind the production and distribution of these illegal street drugs. The people behind this are profiting at the expense of human lives. They believe they are a little bit smarter than the average criminal, so they think they will never be caught. The Bible says: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Timothy 6:10 NIV) Families are being disrupted when drug abusing members dominate the families mental, emotional, spiritual, and financial needs, due to their own need for these drugs. These family situations lead to perplexing problems for teachers, police and others in authority. All citizens eventually pay the price for the out of control lifestyles of drug abusers. Let us band together and support the police, teachers, youth workers, and other leaders. Pray that we will all become better educated about this very real threat to our young people. Pray that God will give special wisdom to the mothers and fathers, and guardians of our young. Pray that those who are flirting around with this evil behavior will repent and turn to God for help and forgiveness through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Bring back: "Just say NO." Real ecstasy or joy in this life is possible when we turn from the darkness of sin, and accept the wonderful salvation which comes through faith in Christ. Listen to this word: "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18 NIV) See Acts 2:38. You are invited to attend the services of the Church of Christ at the corner of 3rd and E Streets. Write me with any questions or comments David Binkley, P.O. Box 186, Cedar Key, FL 32625 or E-mail at dgbinkley@aol.com. Or you may also request to receive the daily WORD OF THE DAY by e-mail. Check out our web site at www.cedarkeychurchofchrist.com. | 