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Substance Abuse-
As adults, we have the responsibility to the kids in our world to lead by example, set appropriate boundaries and be Christ like in our choices. This morning, the following news report came to me over email.
“More than 40 percent of the nation’s estimated 10.8 million underage current drinkers (persons aged 12 to 20 who drank in the past 30 days) were provided free alcohol by adults 21 or older, according to a nationwide report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The study also indicates that one in 16 underage drinkers (6.4 percent or 650,000) was given alcoholic beverages by their parents in the past month.
“In far too many instances parents directly enable their children’s underage drinking – in essence encouraging them to risk their health and wellbeing,” said Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H, a rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service. “Proper parental guidance alone may not be the complete solution to this devastating public health problem – but it is a critical part.”
This fall, I encourage our churches to make a stand against alcohol and drug abuse by participating in Recovery Sunday, October 19. If adults take a stand and set the example, I fully believe that kids will respond when they are given expectations that reflect a walk with Christ and in turn this will impact our communities.
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