Pubdate: Wed, 12 May 2004 Source: Taber Times, The (CN AB) Copyright: 2004 The Taber Times Contact: http://www.mysouthernalberta.com/ttimes/home/index.php Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2262 Author: Simon Bekkering SOLUTION TO DRUG PROBLEM NEAR WITH GOD Editor: Recently I attended two meetings at the new St. Mary's school. One meeting was a presentation by the Taber Police Service on drug use in our community, especially among our young people. Both Insp. Abela and Const. Kehler did an outstanding and professional presentation on the current status of drug use in the Taber community. Many youths and adults need help to free them from the bondages of substance abuse. The Taber Police Service and RCMP are working hard to stop the "supply" side of the equation, but it takes a whole community to address the "demand" side. The other meeting I attended at St. Mary's was put on by the New Life Church on an initiative they are doing to inform people what a Purpose Driven Life is based on the No. 1 best seller by Rick Warren. If all those young people and adults caught up in drug use would understand what a Purpose Driven Life was all about, the "demand" side would be solved and the "supply" side would disappear, resulting as Const. Kehler put it, layoffs at the Taber Police Service due to lack of work! As I sat through both meetings I could not help but notice the crucifix inside the beautiful new chapel at St. Mary's school. We could all be truly free from everything, including drugs, by accepting the true gospel of Jesus Christ. For $100 you can get high on crack cocaine for an hour. You can get high on Jesus for eternity and the cost is free, it has been paid in full 2,000 years ago. You do not need to and are unable to do anything to earn this freedom from fear and guilt. You simply accept this free gift and respond with thankfulness; only then will we be able to completely eradicate the drug problem in our community and find purpose in our lives. Simon Bekkering Taber - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin