One of the great dangers to the youth and adults is drug addiction. There was a young man from our parish who died tragically by illegally purchasing an anti-anxiety drug online. Sadly, as it turned out it was a different drug that was far more potent, and it killed him. This young man suffered with drug addition in the past, but was sober for over a year.
It is shocking how any young person by one mistake becomes addicted and plunge into great physical and spiritual darkness. It is easy for parents to think that their child could never be addicted to drugs and deny such a thing until it is visibly apparent. Parents be vigilant over your children especially in their years of high school and junior high school. In fact, it could happen to anyone. One bad friend or one serious mistake can lead to such an addiction.
For loved ones of those who are addicted it is easy to give up hope. Our hope should be on the power of God’s grace and truth that Jesus can help any soul no matter how bad the situation may be. All it takes for grace to enter is an act of faith in Christ.
As we are the Church, the body of Christ, we are called to bring that light of Christ into the darkness of our own life and the lives of others. The Church does so much in serving and helping those who are afflicted with drug and alcohol addiction.
The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and the Missionaries of Charity serve the poor. Among the poor many of them are addicted to drugs. Catholic Charities of Long Island does wonderful work in drug rehabilitation. Let us pray for those who are addicted, for their families, and those who helped them to see the light of Christ.
Let us invoke the intercession of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the patron saint of those addicted to drugs.
In Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Jeff Yildirmaz
