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Got Issues ?
Is all about relevant issues that face us in our everyday life, such as:
Pornography
Gay Rights
Securing the Borders
Presidential Elections
Gas Prices
Abortion
Capital Punishment
Economic Situation
School Shootings
The War
Environment
Amending the Constitution
Drugs
Liquor
These are just some of the issues that are discussed in our Sunday school class on Sunday mornings at 10 AM. This is an open discussion time, with refreshments and coffee, a time of questions, and a look to see what the Bible says about each issue. You can download and listen to each discussion and Bible study by clicking the link below.
Drugs 101-Part 1
Drugs 101-Part 1
    
What is the definition of drugs?
-A drug, broadly speaking, is any chemical substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in medicine, government regulations, and colloquial usage. Wikipedia
-Many natural substances such as beers, wines, and some mushrooms, blur the line between food and drugs, as when ingested they affect the functioning of both mind and body. Wikipedia
Two Basic Types of Drugs
1. Legal-Medicine-Prescription-Over the Counter Drugs
2. Illegal-Recreation-Any misuse of a legal drug.
Some would say that there are several types of drug usage.
1. Medication-prescription-legal
-A medication or medicine is a drug taken to cure and/or ameliorate any symptoms of an illness or medical condition, or may be used as preventive medicine that has future benefits but does not treat any existing or pre-existing diseases or symptoms.
-Medications are typically produced by pharmaceutical companies and are often patented to give the developer exclusive rights to produce them, but they can also be derived from naturally occurring substance in plants called herbal medicine.[citation needed] Those that are not patented (or with expired patents) are called generic drugs since they can be produced by other companies without restrictions or licenses from the patent holder.
2. Recreation-Illegal drugs or misuse of legal drugs.
Recreational drugs use is the use of psychoactive substances to have fun, for the experience, or to enhance an already positive experience. National laws prohibit the use of many different recreational drugs and medicinal drugs that have the potential for recreat-tional use are heavily regulated. Many other recreational drugs on the other hand are legal, widely culturally accepted, and at the most have an age restriction on using and/or pur-chasing them. These include alcohol, tobacco, betel nut, and caffeine products. Wikipedia
3. Spiritual or religious use.
The spiritual and religious use of drugs has been occurring since the dawn of our species. Drugs that are considered to have spiritual or religious use are called entheogens. Some religions are based completely off of the use of certain drugs. Entheogens are mostly hallucinogens, being either psychedelics or deliriants, but some are also stimulants and sedatives. Wikipedia
4. Nootropics-smart drugs
Nootropics are used to improve memory, concentration, thought, mood, learning, and many others things. Some Nootropics are now beginning to be used to treat certain diseases such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. They are also commonly used to regain brain function lost during aging. Wikipedia
What is a Narcotic?
-In U.S. legal context, narcotic refers to opium, opium derivatives, and their semi-synthetic or fully synthetic substitutes "as well as cocaine and coca leaves," which although classified as "narcotics" in the U.S. Controlled Substances Act (CSA), are chemically not narcotics. Contrary to popular belief, marijuana is not a narcotic, nor is LSD and other psychedelic drugs. Many law enforcement officials in the United States inaccurately use the word "narcotic" to refer to any illegal drug or any unlawfully possessed drug. Wikipedia
-Drug effects depend heavily on the dose, route of administration, previous exposure to the drug, and the expectation of the user. Narcotics produce a general sense of well-being, known as euphoria, and reduce tension, anxiety, and aggression. These effects are helpful in a therapeutic setting and contribute to their popularity as recreational drugs, as well as helping to produce dependency. Narcotic use is associated with a variety of side effects, including drowsiness,itching, sleeplessness, inability to concentrate, apathy, lessened physical activity, constriction of the pupils, dilation of the subcutaneous blood vessels causing flushing of the face and neck, constipation, nausea, vomiting and, most significantly, respiratory depression. As the dose is increased, the subjective, analgesic, and toxic effects become more pronounced. Except in cases of acute intoxication, there is no loss of motor coordination or slurred speech, as occurs with many depressants such as alcohol or barbiturates
-Among the hazards of careless or excessive drug use is the increasing risk of infection, disease and overdose. Medical complications common among recreational narcotic users arise primarily from the non-sterile practices of injecting. Skin, lung and brain abscesses, endocarditic, hepatitis and HIV/AIDS are commonly found among persons with narcotic dependencies who share syringes or inhale the drug.
-With repeated use of narcotics, tolerance and dependence develop. The development of tolerance is characterized by a shortened duration and a decreased intensity of analgesia, euphoria and sedation, which creates the need to administer progressively larger doses to attain the desired effect. Tolerance does not develop uniformly for all actions of these drugs, giving rise to a number of toxic effects. Although the lethal dose is increased significantly in tolerant users, there is always a dose at which death can occur from respiratory depression. The withdrawal symptoms experienced from opioid addiction are usually first felt shortly before the time of the next scheduled dose. Early symptoms include watery eyes, runny nose, yawning and sweating. Restlessness, irritability, loss of appetite, tremors and severe sneezing appear as the syndrome progresses. Severe depression and vomiting are not uncommon. The heart rate and blood pressure are elevated. Chills alternating with flushing and excessive sweating are also characteristic symptoms. Pains in the bones and muscles of the back and extremities occur as do muscle spasms and kicking movements, which may be the source of the expression "kicking the habit." At any point during this process, a suitable dose of any opioid can be administered that will dramatically reverse the withdrawal symptoms. Without intervention, the syndrome will run its course and most of the overt physical symptoms will disappear within 5 to 15 days, depending on the opioid used. The earlier drug use begins, the more likely it is to progress to dependence. Heroin use among males in inner cities is generally initiated in adolescence, and dependence often develops in about 1 or 2 years. Wikipedia
Different Illegal Drugs
1. Cocaine-Comes from the leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylon coca) found only in the Andean highlands of South America. It is one of the most powerful stimulants that come from a natural resource. Not only that but it is a highly addictive drug that controls anyone who takes it. Cocaine is produced as a white chunky powder and is sold in aluminum foil, plastic or paper baggies, or even small vials. Before being used it is usually chopped into a fine powder with a razor blade on a mirror or hard surface. It is separated into rows called “lines,” then inhaled, or snorted through the nose with a straw or rolling money up like a straw. Injection is also an option when using cocaine, but most snort it.
A. Names for Cocaine
Big C, Big Flake, Blow, Bump, C, Caine, Candy, Charlie, Coca, Coke, Do a Line, Dust, Nose Candy, Powder, Snort, Sniff, Soda, Speedball, and Yeyo (Spanish).
B. Cost of Cocaine
The purity of the production determines the cost of the product. When the supply of cocaine in the US decreases, the purity will decrease. Also, when the supply is high in the US, the purity level will increase. Nationwide, prices ranged from $12,000 to $35,000 per kilogram.
C. Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction
Some include but are not limited to:
social isolation
weight loss
neglect of body needs and hygiene
disintegration of the mucous membrane
collapse of the nasal septum
selling of personal property
mood swings
change in friends
change in daily schedule (staying out all night)
always having a stuffy, runny nose
cardiac problems
neglect of family responsibilities
ignoring job demands
constant loss of appetite
D. Physical Effects of Cocaine Addiction
Some include but are not limited to:
Restlessness and anxiety
Vomiting
Anxiety
Convulsions
Insomnia
Loss of appetite leading to malnutrition and weight loss
Changes in blood pressure, heart rates, and breathing rates
Nausea
Cold sweats
Swelling and bleeding of mucous membranes
Damage to nasal cavities
Damage to lungs
Possible heart attacks, strokes, or convulsions
E. Popularity of Cocaine Addiction
In 1997, there were approximately 1.5 million regular cocaine abusers.
1-tenth of the population - over 22 million people have tried cocaine.
Each day 5,000 more people will experiment with cocaine.
Cocaine is a $35 billion dollar industry now exceeding Columbia's #1 export, coffee.
1 in 10 workers say they know someone who uses cocaine on the job.
F. History of Cocaine
As far as we know, the Indians first used cocaine to fight the effects of hard work, hunger, and thin air. Freud, along with others, praised its usage in the mid 1800s. Coca-Cola main ingredient was cocaine until 1906. Even doctors and hospitals used it for an anesthetic. Because of its widespread use and addiction, the government begins to lead efforts against the use of cocaine in the early 1900s. In the 1970s and the early 1980s cocaine was pronounced to be safe ignoring the dangers associated with it.
Drugs are so popular with teenagers because they are easy bait. One reason is because drugs are constantly promoted through
their magazines, books, friends, movies, role models, and music. For example, listen to some of the names of songs that have
been written over the years; “Get Off My Cloud,” “Straight Shooter,” “Acapulco Gold,” “A Little Help From My Friends,”
“Along Came Mary,” “Blue Cheer,” “Crystal Blue Persuasion,” “Colored Rain,” “Faster Than The Speed Of Light,”
“Penny Lane,” “Yellow Submarine,” “Rainy Day Woman,” "Hesitation Blues," "Somebody to Love," "Eight Miles High,"
"Good Vibrations,” "Reflections,” "Tomorrow Never Knows," "Paint It, Black,” "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," “You
Turn Me On,” “You’ve Got Me High,” and “White Rabbit.”
Today’s music is much worse than the music in the old days. On February 4, 2008 a medical research team reviewed 279 top
songs of 2005, to determine how common the lyrics about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are used in the songs. The report
showed that one in every three songs contained explicit references to drugs. The report also showed that two-thirds of the
songs placed drugs, alcohol and tobacco in a positive light by associating them with sex, partying and humor. The team’s
leader Dr. Brian Primack said that they figured that if teenagers from the ages of 15-18 listen to 2.4 hours of music daily,
they would hear 84 references to drugs, alcohol and tobacco referred to, in a positive way. That’s more than 30,000 a year.
No wonder our teenagers in America are turning to drugs to cure the pain in their lives. The researchers said that the evidence
shows us that the greater the exposure to certain media messages can increase substance use among teens.
Another interesting bit of information from the medical research team that I thought was interesting was this; different types
of music are worse than others that contained more references than others. The number one was no surprise to me, Rap, but
the second one was, Country. Good old Country music had far more references to drug, alcohol and tobacco usage in a positive
way that even rock music and pop.
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Drugs 101-Part 2
Drugs 101-Part 2
2. Marijuana comes from the leaves of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). It is a mixture of green or gray dried, mature, shredded flowers and leaves. Marijuana is the number one illegal drug used in the USA. Inside of a hemp plant there are about 400 chemicals, one being THC. THC is the main chemical in marijuana that affects the brain the most. Every form of cannabis is psychoactive (mind-altering) drugs.
A. Names for Marijuana.
Terms from when I was a teenage were terms such as pot, herb, grass, weed, Mary Jane, and reefer. These are still being used today. More popular modern names are skunk, boom, gangster, kif, or ganja. Street names for different strains or "brands" of marijuana, such as "Texas tea," "Maui wowie," and "Chronic," are also very popular. There has been a recent book of “American slang” that lists more than 200 names for various kinds of marijuana.
B. History of Marijuana.
Marijuana can be found as far back as the Neolithic age, by the charred seeds found in an ancient burial site in present day Romania. The ancient Hindus of India and Nepal were the most famous users of this drug.
The Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church, a modern religious movement, considers marijuana to be the Eucharist (communion). They say that it’s an oral tradition from Ethiopia dating back to the time of Christ. Strange that this church was only founded in the United States in 1975, having no connection to the Coptic Church or Ethiopia. Some modern Gnostic Christian sects have asserted that cannabis is the Tree of Life. There are many other organized religions that treat cannabis as a sacrament are the THC Ministry, the Way of Infinite Harmony, Can theism, the Cannabis Assembly and the Church of Cognizance.
C. Medical use of Marijuana.
Some say that the chemical in marijuana cannabis is able to help in curing or helping in the cure of different diseases such as cancer, different aspects of AIDS patients, pain, Glaucoma, epilepsy, bipolar disorder, reduce arterial blockages, and may reduce the muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis.The FDA and some authorities in Western Europe, have taken a stand against approving smoked marijuana for any condition or disease. Most of these studies are not yet proved due to sufficient history in research.
D. Legal status of Marijuana.
Marijuana is certainly an illegal drug in the US. To your surprise you may learn that the US does not have the harshest laws concerning possession, sales or manufacturing it. Some countries, particularly in East Asia, the sale of cannabis may lead to a life sentencef in prison or even execution.
E. Effects of Marijuana.
Some of the effects but not limited to:
-Sense of well-being
-Talkativeness
-Laughter
-Dreaminess
-Sleepiness
-Lethargy
-Short-term memory and learning
-Enhanced physical and emotional sensitivity
-Difficulty in having an intelligent conversation
-Difficulty keeping track of time, impaired or reduced short-term memory
-Reduced coordination
-Increased heart rate
-Bloodshot eyes
-Dry mouth and throat
-Hallucinations
-Psychological dependence
-difficulty speaking, listening effectively, thinking, retaining knowledge, problem solving, and forming concepts
-Intense anxiety or panic attacks
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Drugs 101-Part 3
Drugs 101-Part 3
3. Ecstasy
Ecstasy is a psycho’s active drug that possesses stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. It is a white, crystalline powder and is usually seen in capsule form, in pressed pills, or as loose powder. In the US it normally cost anywhere from $10-$30 a dose. Ecstasy is commonly used with other drugs, but rarely with alcohol. This is due to the fact that alcohol is believed to diminish its effects. Normally, this drug is given out at late-night or all night parties called “raves”, nightclubs, and rock concerts. The drug traffickers use brands and logos as marketing tools to distinguish their product from that of competitors. The logos are sometimes produced to coincide with a certain holiday, or a special event that is approaching. Butterflies, lightning bolts, and four-leaf clovers are among the popular logos that are used.
A. History of Ecstasy.
It first came from Germany. Many believe that this is a new drug, but it started in 1912 by a German company to be used as an appetite suppressant. It did not come popular in the US until the late 80’s and early 90’s. Most of the drug comes from Europe and is shipped through our postal service.
B. Effects of Ecstasy.
The effects of the drug start after about 20 minutes and can last for hours. A “rush” feeling is followed by a feeling of calmness, and a sense of well being to those around you. There’s often a heightened perception of color and sound that is associated with taking ecstasy, also. Some people though, feel sick, experience a stiffening of the arms, legs and the jaw. Along with sensations of thirst, sleeplessness, and depression. Gives a feeling of energy and can produce some mild hallucinations that affect the nervous system.
C. Short-term effects of Ecstasy.
Certainly Ecstasy is not as addictive as heroin or cocaine, it can cause adverse effects such as, but not limited to:
Nausea
Hallucinations
Chills
Sweating
Tremors
Teeth Clenching
Muscle cramping
Blurred Vision
Increase in body temperature
Anxiety
Depression
An overdose of Ecstasy can have effects such as:
High blood pressure
Faintness
Panic attacks
Loss of consciousness
Seizures
Heart failure
Heart stoke
Death
In my study of drugs these past few weeks and in what I have heard and learned about drugs over my lifetime, the basic reason why people take drugs is because they have problems that they don’t want to deal with, or don’t know how to deal with. Constantly you hear someone use the word “experience,” “feeling,” or “high” to describe how they want to feel about themselves or their situation. So they take some drugs to keep from feeling depressed, and yet the very feeling that they are trying to avoid, is one of the very effects of taking the drug. Some take it to be cool, then they end up vomiting, which is not cool at all. Some take it to get “high”, then when they come down off of that cloud; they are lower than when they took the drug. The fact is drugs are not the answer. They never give because they never had it to give. They never cure because they are part of the problem. The world regardless if its drugs, alcohol, pornography, money, sex, power, position, fun, partying, etc, never has the answer to your problems.
Preacher Bill said, “The world does not have the answers to Biblical questions.”
The world does not have the answers to mans problem. The answers are found in God’s Word, the Bible.
You’ve heard the old saying, “Just sweep it under the rug.” That’s not true when it comes to drugs. Drugs cannot be swept under a rug.
God’s The Answer To Man’s Cancer
Man’s number one Cancer (problem) is
1. Sinner-Unsaved in this world.
Romans 3:10-12 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Because man is lost without Christ there is a payment for that sin.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death;…”
That payment is death. We must pay for our sins in a literal lake of fire (hell) for all eternity. BUT someone (Jesus Christ) has died for our sins, so we don’t have to.
Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 8:32 “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all,…”
If man will repent of his sin, confess it, and trust Jesus to be his Saviour he will be saved.
Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Luke 13:3 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
When a man is born again, his sin cancer is cured for all eternity. He now becomes a child of God. He is a new man in Christ Jesus.
John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Jesus Christ is the answer to man’s number one cancer.
Every sinner can be a winner with Jesus.
2. Sad-Unhappy in this world.
John 16:20 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”
It is true that we as Christians are going to experience some sad times on this earth. It can’t be helped, but joy cometh in the morning. Our sorrow’s today will drown in tomorrow’s joy. No more sorrows tomorrow. Soon our tears will disappear.
Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”
Philippians 2:16 “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”
Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
1 Peter 1:8-9 “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”
3. Scab-Unhealthy in this world.
Do you feel like a scab? Do you feel like your problems are insignificant? That no one can help you in your situation?
Psalms 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
No matter what your problem is, big or small, he careth for you. God is the Master of your disaster.
4. Scum-Unloved in this world.
You may feel like the scum of the earth. You may have done such terrible things in your life that have made you feel this way, but God loves you. God majors on loving the scum of the earth. Don’t allow your scum to numb you to the One who loves you.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
1 John 4:9-10 “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
Don’t allow scum to settle in your pot. Get out from under your baggage.
1 John 1:9-10 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
5. Slave-Under bondage in this world.
You may feel like your addiction is greater than you, and your at your road’s end. Paul felt the same way you did.
Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
Romans 7:14-25 “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”
1 John 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
6. Shaken-Unstable in this world.
Do you feel like everything is falling apart? Your like is coming unglued? God can put it all back together again.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.”
God is still in control. Your marriage falling apart doesn’t surprise God. Your problems are no challenge to an omnipotent God. Your world may be falling apart, but God’s world is in his hand.
Psalms 40:2 “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”
7. Shipwrecked-Unforsaken in this world.
You may feel like your ship came in, but it sunk. You may feel like your like is a wreck. Paul the Apostle went through a whole lot more than us, and yet God was able to salvage the shipwreck Paul. Three times Paul was physically on a ship that was shipwrecked, but God saved him. You may be shipwrecked spiritually, but God can save your sunken life. God’s grip want slip on His ships.
2 Corinthians 11:25 “Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;”
1 Corinthians 1:27 “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;”
*******
The most common drug addictions are to legal substances such as:
Alcohol
Nicotine in the form of tobacco, particularly cigarettes
Caffeine
Did you know that every American family pays $1500 in taxes each year to cover drug-related costs to society?
All of us pay a high price for Americans' drug use—not only in lives lost, but in social costs. Over 26,000 individuals died from drug-induced causes in the United States in 2002, seven times more than those killed in all of the September 11 attacks. Direct costs include those for drug treatment, health care, costs of goods and services lost to crime, law enforcement, incarceration, and the judicial system fees. Indirect costs are those due to the loss of productivity from death, human suffering, drug abuse-related illnesses, victims of crime and crime.
According to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, overall societal costs associated with drug use in the United States were estimated at $180.8 billion for the year 2002. Most of these costs were in the area of lost productivity.
Some of the taxes coming out of your paychecks are being used to pay for the toll drugs take on all of us. Where is it going? Here are a few examples:
Drug exposed children cost society millions of dollars. The total lifetime costs associated with caring for babies that were prematurely exposed to drugs or alcohol range from $750,000 to $1.4 million. These figures take into account the hospital and medical costs for drug exposed babies, housing costs, and outside care costs.
In 2002, there were 670,307 drug abuse-related emergency room episodes in the United States-and insurance didn't cover all the costs.
There were 2.3 million young people aged 12 to 17 who needed treatment for an illicit drug problem in 2002. Detoxification treatment costs about $475 a day. Rehabilitation treatment costs about $375 a day.
In addition to emergency room visits for overdoses, there are over 300,000 people living with AIDS which they contracted from drug-related activities.
Clandestine laboratory clean-up for methamphetamine costs the government millions of dollars every year.
The High Costs of Methamphetamine
The costs associated with methamphetamine production, trafficking and use are significant. The costs include caring for children affected by methamphetamine, lab clean-up, the cost of prisoners’ health care, and even consumer costs that are passed on to all of us.
Here are a few examples:
In Kentucky alone, taxpayers spent $1.7 million on prisoners’ teeth. 80% of these costs cover treatment and decay. “Meth mouth” is a form of tooth decay resulting from users’ neglect. This amount is double the amount of non-prisoner dental treatment. In an interview with KWCH-TV, a prisoner admitted that Meth caused him to lose all his teeth. “Your teeth go to nubs, they are pretty much gone…When you’re on Meth nothing matters.” (KWCH-TV interview, November 7, 2005).
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services is reporting a record 7012 children in foster care, a thousand more than last year’s total. Parental neglect at the hands of methamphetamine users is contributing to this increase. (KOTV-TV, November 8, 2005).
According to an article in the Financial Times (October 17, 2005), oil industry workers who abuse and produce methamphetamine have caused delays and increased costs to oil producers. This has resulted in project slowdowns and increases in the price of oil in the United States and around the world. Workers in states such as Texas, Colorado, Louisiana and Oklahoma have been fired for making or using methamphetamine.
An article appearing in HighCountryNews.org on October 3, 2005 illustrates the extent of the methamphetamine problem within the oil and gas rig workforce in rural Colorado. Meth-using workers in this dangerous industry increase the number of mistakes and accidents, endangering other workers and driving up the costs of operations.
Meth. Known as "poor man’s cocaine," the drug delivers a similar euphoric high. A hit of Meth can keep a user awake for hours, even days — at least at first.
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Pornography Part 1
Pornography In The Church And America
3-17-08
Every second - $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography.
Every second - 28,258 Internet users are viewing pornography.
Every second - 372 Internet users are typing adult search terms into search engines.
Every 39 minutes: a new pornographic video is being created in the United States.
"Pornography is pornography, what is there to see? Movies are attempting to destroy something that's supposed to be the most beautiful thing a man and a woman can have by making it cheap and common. It's what you don't see that's attractive."
Nancy Reagan
 RICK WARREN QUESTIONED FOR HIS TIES WITH PORNO DISTRIBUTOR (Friday Church News Notes, May 18, 2007, www.wayoflife.org
fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is excerpted from “Murdoch Pastor Gets Heat for Mogul’s Porn Channels,” WorldNetDaily, May 10, 2007: “Mega-pastor Rick Warren is being challenged by other Christian leaders for not disciplining a prominent member of his California Saddleback Church flock for being one of the world's leading pornographers. That would be Rupert Murdoch, chairman of News Corp., which, in addition to building a media empire on the chests of topless models and edgy, pushing-the-envelope Fox TV network shows, recently began building a stable of hard-core porn channels for its BSkyB subsidiary. ‘Rupert Murdoch [claims to be] a born-again Christian and Rick Warren claims to be his pastor,’ says Chris Rosebrough, head of the Christian Accountability Network. ‘As a Christian, Murdoch is committing an egregious sin by owning, expanding and profiting from pornographic channels, and Rick Warren, his pastor, has a biblical duty to call Murdoch to repentance and/or put him out of the church.’ ... Murdoch also owns Zondervan, the company that published Warren’s explosive bestseller The Purpose Driven Life. ... Warren, who did not respond to WND’s email requests to address the controversy, has at least twice publicly claimed Murdoch as a member of his church. ... In a Nov. 12, 2006, Orange County Register story, Warren was asked about pastoring a man who publishes tabloids featuring topless women. He responded: ‘I don't have to agree with 100 percent of what another person does in order to work with them on the 20 percent that we do agree on.’ The article also points out Murdoch was among the first patrons to support Warren's PEACE plan, contributing $2 million. ... even before the BSkyB venture into hard-core porn, Murdoch’s News Corp. was steeped in the business. ‘News Corp. is a major owner of DirecTV, which sells more pornographic films than (Hustler magazine founder and porn film producer Larry) Flynt,’ says porn fighter Gail Dines, professor of American Studies at Boston’s Wheelock College. ‘In 2000, the New York Times reported that nearly $200 million a year is spent by the 8.7 million subscribers to DirecTV. Among News Corp.’s other media holdings are the Fox Broadcasting and cable TV networks, 20th Century Fox, the New York Post and TV Guide. Welcome to synergy. Murdoch also owns Harper Collins, which published pornography star Jenna Jameson's best-selling book, How to Make Love like a Porn Star.”
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Pornography in the Spotlight this Week
Facts & Verses
Spanky, a clown with the renowned Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, has been arrested on charges stemming from a child pornography investigation.
ROUND ROCK — Before he was indicted last week and accused of participating in a global child pornography ring, a Round Rock handyman didn't have so much as a traffic ticket on his record, according to local law enforcement. Erik Wayerski, 46, is one of 12 men charged with running a high-tech online enterprise that was encrypted to avoid detection, FBI spokesman Eric Vasys said. The network shared and traded more than 400,000 images of children, including toddlers, engaged in sexual acts, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Authorities have identified and rescued 20 of the children who were exploited, he said. "But with 400,000 (images) we're going to be at this for years, trying to find the victims," he said.
According to a news item in the Denver Post by John Ingold, a local Radio personality there was hauled off to jail this past Friday night “on suspicion of enticing someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl to mail him sexually provocative pictures of herself.”
Victor Scott McPeak Jr., 36, a teacher at Arizona Charter Academy, was arrested by federal agents Monday as an international pornography ring
Fayetteville police arrested a Prairie Grove man for allegedly soliciting sex from an officer posing as a 13-year-old in an Internet chat room Tuesday.
Pennsylvania professor jailed for child pornography.
A high school teacher in Long Island arrested for child pornography.
1-5 girls, and 1-10 boys before the age of 18 will be a victim of child pornography.
Romans 6:13 “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
Matthew 5:27-28 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
1 John 2:15-16 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
Jude 1:16 “These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.”
2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Proverbs 31:3 “Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.”
1 Kings 11:1-8 “But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.”
Proverbs 7
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Role Models
Role Models
Growing up we all have role models. Some good and some bad, but we had them none the less.
Webster says!
According to Webster a “role model” is several things.
1. A pattern of something to be made.
2. A mold; something intended to give shape to castings.
3. Pattern.
4. Standard; that by which a thing is to be measured.
The Biblical word that is the same as Role Model would be “example.”
Webster says!
According to Webster the word “example” means several things.
1. A pattern; a copy; a mode; that which is proposed to be imitated.
2. A pattern, in morals or manners; a copy, or model.
3. A person fit to be proposed for a pattern; one whose conduct is worthy of imitation.
We see that the modern term “role model” and the Bible word “example” have the same meaning.
World says!
 Fox News quoted Paris Hilton on 3-27-08 as seeing herself as a role model for young women, she said Thursday as she prepared to judge a contest to crown Miss Turkey. Hilton, 27, boosted her fame in 2003 after a sex video of her and an ex-boyfriend hit the Internet, and she spent three weeks in a Los Angeles jail last year in a drunken driving case. "I don't pay attention to lies because I am a good person, I work very hard and I've built this empire on my own. I think this is an inspiration for a lot of girls out there." Asked if she was happy to be seen as a role model by girls, Hilton said: "Yes." Hilton's latest project is a show on MTV in which people will compete to be her friend. "Paris Hilton's My New BFF" (best friend forever) is set to air on the U.S. cable network later this year. "I obviously have a lot of friends already, but I just thought it would make great TV show," she said. "You know, most of my friends are from Hollywood.
 Lisa Welchel, who played Blair on the TV show "Facts of Life" and is the author of several Christian family books, said that as a former teen star and now the mother of teen daughters, she has some sympathy for 16-year-old Jamie Lynn Spears. "I'm very passionate about wanting to speak out on behalf of this young girl," Welchel said. "She is a role model, but it's not her responsibility to be a role model. That's so much pressure on a 16-year-old." In fact, Welchel said she considers Spears a good role model for deciding to keep the baby. "I'm so proud of her for stepping up and being courageous and taking responsibility for her choices, and I believe she's being a good role model — a good role model in that situation, to choose to have the baby, and … I am supportive of her in that situation," Welchel said. Welchel added that she thought the media were being too hard on Spears' mother, Lynne. "Because we are doing the best we can as moms," she said. "We really are. I know that she's doing the best she can as a mom as well."
 Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) has denied rumors that she is surfing the Internet to find a new boyfriend. The teen sensation revealed that she is not so desperate to find a boyfriend even though she likes to check out what is available online from time to time. "I'm not that desperate yet," "I might go on the Abercrombie [& Fitch] Web site every once in a while for a good look," she added. Cyrus, whose television series "Hannah Montana" was also nominated for favorite show, was scheduled to perform at the awards program, singing "Girl's Night Out" from her hit album "Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus." Also scheduled to take the stage was the Naked Brothers Band. Miley Cyrus and best pal Mandy have dedicated their latest You Tube video of 'The Miley and Mandy Show' to Jesus. In the video, the gals have divulged details about their rather clean life and have admitted their religious inclination towards Jesus. Both girls revealed their favorite color as blue and also told fans that they haven’t had a single boyfriend to date. They also confessed to have danced late-night at Target in their pajamas and unanimously agreed to be the followers of Christ. When asked whether they were Christians the girls came up with a unified and emphatic response saying: "Yes, we are". "We love Jesus! Jesus rocks! She dances for Jesus. I sing, dance and act for Jesus! ... Now that I think about it, I do everything for Jesus. We make the You Tube videos for Jesus. We're all about it," People quoted 15-year-old Cyrus, as saying.
 George Clooney was voted the Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine and Best Dressed Male TV Star in 1997 and 2006. The first guest when Rosie O'Donnell made her TV show debut. Clooney lent his voice to a series of Budweiser ads beginning in 2005. Clooney is a self-described political liberal. Speaking about the Iraq war: "You can't beat your enemy anymore through wars; instead you create an entire generation of people seeking revenge. These days it only matters who's in charge. Right now that's us — for a while at least. Our opponents are going to resort to car bombs and suicide attacks because they have no other way to win.... I believe (Rumsfeld) thinks this is a war that can be won, but there is no such thing anymore. We can't beat anyone anymore." Clooney has said: "Run for office? No. I've slept with too many women, I've done too many drugs, and I've been to too many parties." Celine Balitran said, "When I have to get up early, he insists I wake him. It's out of the question to start the day without having breakfast together. We wake up in each other's arms, and we can't wait for evening to be together again." It won't be remembered as his best film, but hardcore Clooney fans find another reason to get weak-kneed with his role in the sci-fi romantic drama Solaris. In not one but two nude scenes, the Sexiest Man Alive bears all for the cameras, making this space-based film the only time Clooney will ever treat viewers to a full moon. Quote about Brad Pitt, "Well, you know, if I was a girl and he was a girl, and I was a lesbian and he was a lesbian, I'd be all over him," says Clooney.
This is only four of Hollywood’s Idols for our young people to idolize. Image what some of the others behave like. These are the posters that are hanging in our teenagers rooms today. (Not mine, thank God) We as adults are just as bad. We’ll go and buy their movies, rent them or watch them which supports them. It also shows our kids where our hearts are.
Word of God says!
In John 13:15 Jesus said, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
1 Corinthians 10:6 “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.”
1 Corinthians 10:11 “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
Philippians 3:17 “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”
1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
1 Peter 2:21 “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”
2 Peter 2:6 “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;”
Jude 1:7 “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
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Role Models Part 2
Role Models
Part 2
The fact is we are all role models. No matter who you are, how old you are, how educated you are, how much money you have, where you live, what kind of car you drive, you are a role model to someone. Sometimes we call our role models “Heroes”. Here is a list of some people’s heroes.
  Mike Tyson certainly comes to mind as one of the worst possible role models. He brags about biting the ear off one opponent, and is found guilty of rape. I personally like boxing, but I detest Mike Tyson’s ways and lifestyle. Mike teaches other boxers and your boys to cheat and to take what you want, even if it means raping a girl. Is Mike Tyson the type of guy I would want my son following in like and hanging a poster up of? I think not!
 Richard Petty said, “Quick as my kids got out of the hospital, took 'em to the racetrack.” As a public figure Richard Petty makes it clear that the two most important things in his life are his family and his fans. “I don't particularly tell my guys to cheat. I just tell them not to get caught.” Richard Petty’s god is racing, not God Almighty. He teaches that is okay in life to cheat just don’t get caught doing it. Is Richard Petty your idol?
 Matt Leinart's Cardinals quarterback was serving drinks to young women out of beer bongs. A reporter said, “If he's guilty of anything, it's being a complete doofus. In theory, it's hard to take issue with a wealthy, single quarterback hopping into a hot tub in his backyard with several (4) attactive young women.” Matt is telling your people all over this world that it okay to drink, be immodest, and to be in an sexual situation with more than one girl. He is teaching teenagers not to save themselves for their spouse, but to live it up because you only live life once. Is Matt your idol?
 Tom Brady has an unwed child, but it’s okay because he wins Super Bowls.Brady dated actress Bridget Moynahan from 2004 until late 2006. On February 18, 2007, Moynahan confirmed to People magazine that she was more than three months pregnant with her and Brady's child. Brady and Moynahan ended their relationship sometime in early December 2006, around the time Moynahan became pregnant. Brady was present when the baby, John Edward Thomas Moynahan, was born on August 22, 2007 at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica. The baby has Brady's first and middle names as middle names, though in reverse order. Since late 2006, Tom Brady has been dating Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen. Tom Brady is teaching us to have sex outside of marriage, don’t marry and do the right thing, don’t take responsibility for your actions, have a good time no matter who you hurt in this world, go from sex partner to sex partner, and it’s okay because of who I am. How many of you dad’s cheer on Tom in the Super Bowl while your kids are watching?
 Bridget Moynahan in 1999 she had her first big role (in a guest appearance) as Natasha in the TV series Sex and the City. “Vodka straight up, nothing in it, just right to the point. I don't even know what a lot of these fancy drinks are." -Bridget Moynahan, on her preferred alcoholic beverage. Throughout the '90s she appeared in many fashion magazines, most notably Vogue, New Woman and Shape, as well as on the cover of Glamour. " I went up there and I just went blank. So I bent down, licked his hand and went off"- (on meeting the Pope). "Nudity is something I don't really understand and I find it completely unnecessary so I have turned down roles because it was unnecessary, but I think that if it's something that I feel is important to a role, or the scene, or to the character then I don't really have a problem with it. I just haven't had that issue quite yet." Bridget is teaching through her great example to be apart of that wicked Hollywood world and appear on an x-rated program, “Sex and the City.” It’s okay to drink even though God says that it’s a sin. That meeting the Pope is important. That nudity is okay in it’s place, she is just waiting for that opportunity. Is this what we want to be watching with our teens? And it’s no better behind them. That doesn’t make it right. Is this God’s plan for your teenage daughter?
 Jane Fonda earned the nickname "Hanoi Jane" for her support of communist North Vietnam during the American conflict there in the early 1970s. She traveled to Hanoi, dressed in a communist military uniform, and pretended to shoot down U.S. pilots with an anti-aircraft gun. Speaking with radio station WGST in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 21, Fonda said it would be a mistake for the United States to retaliate militarily against the perpetrators of the September 11 terrorist attacks which killed 6,700 Americans. She said the "saber rattling" and "calls for vengeance" concerned her very much. It was widely reported in 1999 that Jane Fonda had become a Christian, but it appears to have been a short lived fling. In April 2000, Fonda was the keynote speaker at a dinner sponsored by Utah’s for Choice in Salt Lake City. She spoke out strongly in favor of abortion and criticized those who are against it. Recently MSNBC reported that a source close to Fonda testified that the former actress told her that she "didn't have time for that stuff" (religion) anymore. Jane Fonda is one of the most wicked role models there is. She is teaching young and old alike to rebel against America (authority) like the hippie generation she is from, don’t stand with the men who are fighting and dying, that women aught to speak up and speak out which is opposite to what Paul said in his letters, encourages young mothers to murder their babies, religion is something you get over. Is Jane the hero you want for your teenager?
 Jesse Ventura was elected in 1998 and was the first Reformed Party candidate to win a seat as governor. “Gay domestic partnership OK. Stop being so afraid of marijuana; some uses are OK.” “Teach “creation science” in church, not schools.” “Public schools can’t advocate religion.” Ventura vetoed a bill to require recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools. In one of his books, Ventura mentions a visit to a prostitute near Reno, Nevada and he admitted to visiting brothels in the Philippines while serving in the military. Ventura has publicly stated that prostitution should be legal, since it will exist in any case, and legal controls protecting the health of clients and workers are needed. He said "I voted in hopes to make prostitution legal once, and I'd do it again in a second". He admitted to trading a belt made of gun cartridge cases in exchange for 10 dollars plus the services of a prostitute in Nevada during his younger days. In a Playboy interview, he said: "Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers. It tells people to go out and stick their noses in other people's business." In his 1999 best-selling memoir I Ain't Got Time to Bleed, Ventura responded to the controversy sparked by these remarks by elaborating on his views concerning religion: "I’d like to clarify [my comments published in Playboy] about religious people being weak-minded. I didn’t mean all religious people. I don’t have any problem with the vast majority of religious folks. I count myself among them, more or less. But I believe because it makes sense to me, not because I think it can be proven. There are lots of people out there who think they know the truth about God and religion, but does anybody really know for sure? That’s why the founding fathers built freedom of religious belief into the structure of this nation, so that everybody could make up their minds for themselves. But I do have a problem with the people who think they have some right to try to impose their beliefs on others. I hate what the fundamentalist fanatics are doing to our country. It seems as though, if everybody doesn’t accept their version of reality, that somehow invalidates it for them. Everybody must believe the same things they do. That’s what I find weak and destructive." Ventura endorsed equal rights for religious minorities, as well as people who don't believe in God, by declaring July 4, 2002, "Indivisible Day" through this proclamation. Ventura is for homosexuals which is an abomination God says. He is sticking his finger in the air at God and saying he doesn’t care what God says. He is for using drugs and making them legal, making prostitution legal like that will make America a better place. He calls sin and wickedness “clients and workers” when they are adulteress and whores, he tries to paint sin as being pretty and give it a respectable name. He admits to
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