The opioid epidemic has been going on for years. According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention, over 80,000 deaths were caused by overdose in 2021 alone.
Whether these were intentional overdoses or not, each of these 80,000 individuals died due to their addiction and having access to opioids.
As believers, this can be hard to digest because we are seeing more individuals die each year due to the opioid epidemic.
Rather than sitting idle, we have to take a biblical approach to the opioid epidemic and do all we can to help those struggling with addiction.
Being the Hands and Feet of Christ
As we are trying to respond to the opioid epidemic, we need to do our best to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to them.
Sadly, many people view Christians as being judgmental or hateful. In order to truly help those who are struggling with an opioid addiction, we have to be nonjudgmental and loving.
Even though we know doing drugs is wrong, we don’t know what caused a person to start taking drugs. While it is true that many individuals start doing drugs out of boredom or trying to experiment with them, there are also many individuals who start doing drugs to numb pain.
No matter the reason a person started doing drugs, we need to extend the love of Christ in our actions and words to those struggling with opioid addiction.
There is nothing we can do about the people who have already passed; however, we can do all we can to help prevent further deaths in the upcoming years.
We cannot stop the opioid epidemic alone, but we have to remember we have God on our side. Nothing is too big or too difficult for Him. Go to Him and pray for the opioid epidemic to end.
Pray for loved ones in your life who you know struggle with an opioid addiction. Ask the Lord to give them strength to fight against their addiction and to walk away from drugs. While many people think quitting drugs is a quick process, it is not true.
Similar to cigarettes, it is hard for someone to quit drugs cold turkey. It is possible; however, sometimes it can help if a person can be weaned off the drug rather than stopping cold turkey. In fact, for many people, it can be lethal for them to stop all of a sudden.
As Christians, we need to encourage those who struggle with opioid addiction to seek out help. There are many crisis control centers and drug rehab centers that can help those struggling to overcome their opioid addiction in a safe setting.
Those who are struggling might be resistant to getting help, but we need to do all we can to encourage them to get help.
If they do not seek help right away, it would be beneficial to involuntarily admit them into a drug rehab center for their own safety, especially if they are a minor.
Sharing the Gospel and Hope
Sharing the gospel and sharing hope for the future is another thing Christians must do in order to help those who are struggling with an opioid addiction.
When I first saw the statistics of how many people died in 2021 as a result of overdose, all I could think about was whether the individuals were believers or not.
Did they place faith in Jesus before they passed away? Did they know Him as their personal Savior and Lord? All of these thoughts came tumbling into my mind and made my heart become crestfallen.
This is why we need to go out to those who are struggling with opioid addiction and help them hear the gospel and know the hope they have in Christ. Many individuals who are struggling with opioid addiction have hit rock bottom.
They need help, love, and support. As believers, we need to go to these individuals and share the gospel with them. The gospel is a source of hope for those who are lost, and it can give light to their path.
Even if you are afraid to go to a community of those who struggle with opioid addiction, get together a group of 5 or 10 other Christians and go together.
By going together, you will be able to help even more people to hear the gospel. In the same way, if you have a loved one who struggles with opioid addiction, talk with them one-on-one. Tell them your concerns and worries.
If they are someone close to you, they should hear you out; however, they might become angry or upset with you about bringing it up.
Try to be caring, loving, and patient even when it is hard. As mentioned above, try to do your best to help them get help from a doctor, a therapist, and a drug rehab clinic.
Getting Them the Help They Need and Deserve
As mentioned, many times throughout this article, it cannot be stressed enough that we need to help those who are struggling to get the help they need and deserve. Jesus died in order for us to have abundant life (John 10:10).
There is no reason for any individual to be living a life held in slavery to drugs. To many people, they think doing drugs is “in style” or “cool,” but it is not. Doing drugs will cause many problems, both mentally and physically.
Many people who are struggling with opioid addiction ignore these problems because they are chasing the high, they want, yet ignoring the problem doesn’t make it any less severe.
As Christians, we need to help them get the help they need and deserve. Everyone deserves to live a life free from drugs. Despite depictions in movies, television shows, and music, drugs are not fun.
They are not going to add anything good to your life. Drugs can cause heart problems, psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, and death.
Glorifying drugs is wrong and something Christians need to speak out more about. There is nothing good about drugs and nothing to glorify.
It is causing the death of hundreds of thousands of people each year. Sadly, many people who are passing away are youths. Youths are particularly more prone to get into drugs because of peer pressure.
As Christians, we need to talk more about drugs and the dangers associated with them. We need to teach that there is freedom in Christ and that He can help them overcome their addiction. No one is ever alone in their struggles because God is always with us.
The Lord wants us to get these individuals to clinics and rehab centers where they can get the help they need. Especially if it is a child or a teen, you have the right to take them to a clinic or rehab center.
If it is a grown adult, it can be more difficult, but if you display to them that you truly love them and care about them, they might be more prone to seeking out help on their own.
As believers, we need to do all we can to help those who are struggling and not turn a blind eye to their struggles. Rather, we need to be the hands and feet of Jesus to them, share with them the gospel and hope, as well as get them the help they need and deserve.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an opioid addiction, please reach out to the SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or 1-800-487-4889. For more information, check out SAMHSA’s website.
For further reading:
What Does the Bible Say about Drugs?
Matthew Perry's Lifelong Journey of Addiction, Laughter, and Faith
Should Christians Take Medication for Mental Illness?
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