The Faith Community of Alachua County, Florida is uniting to implement recommendations of its September 1994 Conference:
Father Sean O'Sullivan, guest speaker from Miami, Florida for the Governor's Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention, showed how religious centers across Florida offer information and referral as well as emotional and spiritual support. Each congregation is asked to provide this service for individuals in their congregations and communities whose lives have been affected by substance abuse.
A panel discussed programs already in place in Alachua County, which provide:
The Florida Religious Leaders' Drug Free Communities Guide points out the faith community's unique responsibility to provide emotional and spiritual support for those whose lives have been affected by substance abuse:
Successful treatment programs provide education for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. If our primary purpose is PREVENTION, the question must be asked:
Towards a Global Ethic can bring the Faith Community together to discuss common problems year-round, working together to find solutions to the spiritual ills of our society -- which can cause people to turn to "quick fix" solutions provided by drugs and alcohol.
Some organizations which assist the Faith Community in supporting health and well-being for the community include:
The Interfaith Health Practices Network
Consumer Information Center - A Parent's Guide to Prevention
The religious community in the State of Florida has significant resources that need to be galvanized into action in the war on drugs and crime. It has been estimated that nine million people regularly attend religious services in Florida, and I believe this grass-roots constituency is one of the greatest assets in the effort to liberate our communities from the enslavement of drugs and drug-related crime.
A Training Manual has been designed to facilitate the establishment of the Substance Abuse Ministry (SAM) in every religious congregation throughout Florida. You will find it useful in your endeavors to fight the scourge of drugs and crime in your communities.
By joining in this critical endeavor you will be performing a religious and civic task that helps bring peace and tranquility to our neighborhoods.
Thank you for caring about the people of Florida and for stepping forward to further our shared commitment for a drug-free State of Florida.
Sincerely,
Lawton Chiles
Governor of Florida
Alcohol and other drug abuse clouds and diminishes the use of intellect and will.
People should live in purposeful harmony with all of life. We are accountable to care for ourselves and for each other.
We are a combination of body, spirit, feelings and ideas with the right and authority to express ourselves to each other in care and service. We are called to love our neighbors with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The misuse of our health can impair our ability to fulfill this calling.
We have the power and freedom to make individual decisions and take individual risks.
The appropriate use of only legal drugs becomes each personŐs responsibility. Good health is a state of spiritual, physical, emotional, and social well-being that exists as a result of a lifestyle which includes responsible decisions about abstaining from improper drug use.
We live in a drug-oriented society which promotes the concept of 'instant relief or gratification' that is inconsistent with the experience of lifelong growth, composed of natural highs and lows. Stress, suffering, grief, and physical, spiritual, and emotional pain are realities that cannot be avoided. Our society cannot allow us to permanently condemn the victim of addiction and dependency, or to ignore the poverty, racism, rapid change, stress, false values or the violent behavior of our society that makes drug use falsely appear to be a liberation.
Education Committee
- In the invitation to prayer, the presider can invite the assembly to remember in a special way the concerns we must face regarding alcohol and other drugs
- The Gospel (Matthew 22:15-21) teaches us to 'Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's...' The sermon might focus on the responsibility we all share in society to address the problem of alcohol and other drugs
- We cannot leave this responsibility to a few elected officials. We can fulfill our obligation to God and our society in our love, concern and action for our sisters and brothers who are broken and in need
- At the end of the service, the red ribbons can be distributed to the congregation, followed by a blessing.
- During Red Ribbon Week, bring the concerns for alcohol and other drug use for prayer support
- Encourage your congregation to Wear Red on the Sabbath to provide a visible commitment toward the creation of a Drug-Free America
Church or Elders Council
- Establish definite policies for all church activities regarding alcohol and other drugs
- Create and publicize an Outreach team or Church Assistance Program
- Sponsor a Red Ribbon and Other Drug Awareness Night. Use local agencies and/or have speakers for youth and adults.
- Appoint an alcohol and other drugs coordinator to your Planning Council.
- Create Red Ribbon banners to support a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
- Hold family discussion to establish family policies on such matters as:
- Adopt a K-12 curriculum for the prevention of alcohol and other drug use
- Establish a policy on alcohol and other drugs, prevention, intervention and treatment.
- Assign writing, reading, research or art projects with an alcohol or drug prevention theme.
- Hold a prayer service or special event day in honor of a commitment to drug free youth during Red Ribbon Week.
- Attend an Alcohol or other drug education training
- Sponsor or support a faith-based Red Ribbon drug awareness program
- Learn about treatment and support resources in your community
Prevention
Partnership. Updated 6/23/96