Drug Bust

Today the front page of the paper has 23 photos of people who have charges brought against them for drugs. It is one of largest drug busts in several years in Brown County. I noticed a variety of facial expressions in the photos from happy to fear to concern to anger.

What are the causes of drug abuse and the resulting drug trade? This is obviously a question that has plagued modern society and has been extensively studied and exhausted. There are currently over 400 books in print on this subject and a search on the internet revealed over 120 million sites on this topic. School districts across the state are having random drug testing and drug dogs stay busy searching vehicles and lockers in many kinds of institutions.

Law enforcement does a fine job of staying on top of the trade, and lawyers stay busy in litigation, defense, and prosecution. The amount of money spent trying to stop the drug trade is almost beyond comprehension and the time and energy resources allocated to the problem is unfathomable.

But it ultimately comes back to the individual. In my view, people take drugs for many reasons including the desire to escape the reality they are in. While drugs may not be the prima facie evidence of weak character, they may be simply provide the perception of temporary release from current status. If the current situation is such that it requires change or diversion, there are plenty of avenues more healthy than drugs.

Being of addictive personality, I can certainly understand the desire to seek out means of escape. Without self-discipline, I could drink 100 cups of coffee a day and eat several bags of potato chips. Without self-control and speed limit signs, I would enjoy driving 120 miles per hour or watching 10 hours of television. I could also finish a can of cashews in no time and drink gallons of smoothies from Bahama Bucks. Yet, truthfully, we need to stay in control of ourselves, deal with our problems head on, seek help when necessary, and avoid the self-destructive behavior that ruins so many people.

At the same time, treat yourself to some fun and let yourself go occasionally. Seize the day and enjoy it, but enjoy it without the aid of drugs. You will do yourself and others harm. There is nothing to be gained and much to lose.