Drugs

The problems of illegal drug use in our society have changed over time.

In the 1960s, marijuana and LSD, along with hard drugs like heroin, were prevalent. Today there is cannabis/marijuana, hard drugs like heroin and cocaine, plus the addition of the so-called party drugs like ecstasy.

Drugs are addictive mind-altering substances that damage the mind and body.
Many people are "hooked on drugs".
Many want to get off drugs, but find it extremely hard.

As Christians, this is a world-view issue. Drugs alter our ability to think and reason - they have adverse consequences on ourselves and on others.

Paul tells us that 'our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit' (1 Cor 6: 19) so we are not to abuse our bodies. For us that mean not taking drugs - and helping people get off drugs and deal with their addictions. Christian groups that help people in this area find that faith in God helps people deal with these addictions. 

This section of our website has pages on specific drugs, as well as links to counselling groups and organisations dealing with the issue of drugs.

Statement on Drugs

The following statement was prepared a few years ago, when Salt Shakers was part of the Victorian Community Coalition for a Drug-Free Society -which was formed to oppose Labor leader Steve Bracks' idea of introducing five injecting rooms into Victoria. Thankfully the injecting rooms were never established.

Salt Shakers supports:

• An Australia without illicit drugs in our society, where the young have a high level of self-esteem, well being, hope for their future and a sense of destiny.

• An Australia where everyone is accurately informed about the dangers of taking illicit drugs.

• The continued illegal status of marijuana, heroin and all other currently illegal mind-altering drugs.

• Abstinence-based drug rehabilitation programs.

• Compulsory detainment of drug addicts in treatment programs.

• A reduction in the emphasis of the social acceptability of tobacco and alcohol products

• we must increase the availability of long-term drug treatment facilities so as to minimise the delay for addicts to get into effective treatment programs.

• drug injecting rooms are not in the best interests of the user or the community.

• Methadone should only be used as a drug of last resort, only for long term addicts who have been through other rehabilitation programs and only under strict control which would include compulsory, regular and random drug testing to ensure no other drugs were being used.

• Harm minimisation should only play a minor part in any overall drug treatment program.

• Truth, experience and balance must be brought to the ongoing debate regarding injecting facilities and the decriminalisation of mind-altering drugs.

• Anything other than an all-party government approach to the drug issue - explaining that drugs are detrimental to all levels and ages in society - is detrimental to the future well being of Australian society.

• Support must be given to community-based initiatives that support drug users and their families who are affected by illicit drug use and that encourage a drug free lifestyle.

• Advertising of all tobacco and alcohol products should be totally banned.

We will not support

• Any messages that promote further drug damage to our society.

• Any program that emphasises harm minimisation.