1 of 11

Write now Article Tools

Public education has already had the opportunity to prove its worth in the war against drugs, but it has failed miserably. The reason is simple. It has not and probably cannot get to the heart of the problem. It does not address the reasons young people turn to drugs. It probably cannot do this.

Drug use is not a problem that stems from a lack of scientific knowledge about chemicals and products that have an effect on the human body and mind. Everyone is western civilization who is able to be educated understands that drugs cause problems and that drugs can kill people. Those who choose to take drugs know that. Knowledge clearly is not able to prevent drug abuse.

In fact, education has been used very effectively to train people in just the opposite way. We are bombarded with messages that educate us on the use of drugs. Television is awash with commercials encouraging us to ask our doctors about this drug or that one. Even though these commercials ramble off a long list of frightening side effects, the commercials must be successful in getting people to tell their doctors they want to take a certain drug because the pharmacy companies continue to spend thousands of dollars to create and run these ads. The effect of these ads on people, however, is not good. They teach us that there is a drug to solve any problem we might have. In the mind of a young person, the difference between drugs controlled by a doctor's prescription and drugs controlled by the ability to pay the dealer is too subtle to matter.

The choice to use or not to use drugs is not a choice based on knowledge, however. It is a choice that can only be effective if it is made on a moral basis.

Although drugs were not as common when I was in high school as they are today, they were available and there were students in my urban high school who used them. But I had made a moral choice that excluded drugs from my life. This moral choice I made as a young person still guides me today.

My choice was based in my theology. The best moral choices are theologically based. I committed myself to follow the judeo-christian moral system that is revealed in the Christian Scriptures. The Scriptures taught me that my body was the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit of God and that for that reason I should not put into my body things which could destroy it. It was this decision that led me to morally reject tobacco, alcohol, sex outside marriage and illegitimate drugs from my life. Even where legitimate drugs are concerned,

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Why education is the best weapon in the war on drugs?
We want to hear your view. Write now!