Back in July 7, 2015, Liz Szabo of USA Today, reported that more women (two times more in the last 10 years)  and more people in the middle class are using heroin.

It has been suggested that prescription drugs such as Percocets, Oxycontin, and Vicodin have been over prescribed. Because of the epidemic in addiction to these drugs, Doctors have been encouraged to stop prescribing them as readily.

This then causes an issue for the patients. Because of the addiction to the drugs, or the unresolved pain the drugs were prescribed to take care of, many patients have looked to the drug dealers on the street for their source of supply.

The cost of these drugs on the street per milligram can be quite exorbitant. Unbelievably, heroin in some parts can be purchased for as low as $6 a bag. At these prices heroin can be seen as being quite affordable. Sadly, at these prices kids can be tempted to purchase them, and many have.

Because of the purity of the heroin, initially it can be snorted, and/or smoked. But as the addiction takes hold the addict may in all probability start injecting to get the quickest high. As the user chases the feeling of the high, it will take more and more bags to accomplish this.

One person told me that she was using $500 of heroin a day, at roughly $25 per bag. At $500 a day, she was lying, stealing, and taking part in other illicit activities to get the money she needed.

Learn2Cope.org has this to say:

Long-term heroin usage quickly becomes a slippery slope to developing brain disease. Long-term drug use causes profound changes in brain structure and function that result in uncontrollable compulsive drug craving, seeking and use.

The changes in brain function and structure that occur with drug use persist long after drug use is stopped. “Cure” is therefore not necessarily an attainable or appropriate goal.

What Are Some Realistic Expectations For Substance Abuse Treatment?

“Recovery” from drug addiction is a dynamic, long-term process. Often people make many treatment attempts before staying in recovery.

Research has shown treatment that addresses many areas of a person’s life can help individuals reduce or stop using drugs, and can greatly improve their functioning in the family, at work, and in society.

Substance abuse treatment can be as effective as treatments for other chronic conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma.

Who does heroin affect?:

Heroin can affect anyone. You cannot tell by looking at people anymore as to who the heroin addicts are. There has been an increase of 62.5 % among those who have private insurance. Those suffering from heroin addiction come from all walks of life now.

What can be done about it, is there hope?:

First and foremost, there is always hope in God! There is nothing that is impossible for Him. I’ve heard testimonies from others saying that the Lord has taken away their urging from their addictions.

But faith must be exercised for this, which can at times seem to be quite illusive for some. Which can make things very frustrating for the seeker, and for those praying for him or her. But that doesn’t mean we should give up hope!

Secondly in parallel with seeking the Lord, seek help from organizations that serve the community in this regard. For those here in Massachusetts, look up organizations like Learn To Cope. This is a peer led organization that has groups meeting in various locations in the State. They can inform you on what to do, where the resources are, and even provide Naloxone an opioid inhibitor, should a loved one loose conscientiousness due to an overdose, which becomes quite scary.

Just know that for people struggling with heroin addiction, this is not a one hundred yard dash, and then we’re done with it. This now becomes a marathon, with relapses seemingly commonplace, before long term recovery is attainable, which of course is the goal.

My family and I had gone on vacation to Niagara Falls at the end of summer in the year 2014. As we walked around and viewed the wonder and beauty of the falls, I noticed that I started having tightening in the chest. I felt no pain, just a tightening and being out of breath. It was alarming.

I didn’t want to concern my wife or my daughters, so I kept quiet about it while there. I just opted to keep my walking pace at a comfort level that I could sustain without causing attention to myself.

When I got back home from the falls, I decided to get on the treadmill to exercise. To my surprise walking at a pace of 2.4 miles an hour was a struggle. I had to get off for a breather! I was having shortness of breath, like no tomorrow.

A disclaimer here,  if you haven’t exercised in awhile please consider seeing your Doctor before you do.

When I was younger I was relatively fit. I liked playing football, basketball, and I enjoyed riding bicycles. However, as I got older I became more sedentary as most people do when they age.

There were other factors that also attributed to weight gain that will be covered in my other posts. But for now suffice it to say that I was in relation to the BMI standards considered obese.

Since that time, I’ve made a couple of lifestyle changes. Through God’s providence I met people along the way that helped me get my bearings on where I was and where I needed to go. That old saying that when a student is ready the teacher will appear, is true here.

The changes that I needed to make came in a clear way that I could see, and grasp. I know that I still have a ways to go, but I do feel much better. Of course my wife is happier at the changes in fitness levels that I’ve since obtained.

But I ask you dear reader, if you are not already over weight or obese, why allow yourself to get into that state? It is better to keep your fitness while you have it, rather than try and regain it.

However, if you are overweight and/or obese, you can change. It is not something to be discouraged about. There is always hope in God. Turn to Him, and you might find yourself pleasantly surprised at who and what appears in your life to point you in the direction you should go. You have to do the work though.

I know that the Lord has always been good to me, pointing and leading the way (when I’ve listened). He will be good to you too, for He is no respecter of persons! Hallelujah!

What is it about heroin usage that grips its victim to the point where he or she feels like “Heroin’s Puppet?” Or any substance for that matter that a person becomes a slave to?

I once had a childhood friend who was addicted to the smell of Vicks Vapor Rub. He would carry a jar around with him and sniff it throughout the course of the day. Not to speak of those I know that are alcoholics, or recovering alcoholics.

Substance abuse, is it a disease? Or, is it just a bad choice? Since embarking on this journey and trying to learn as much as I can, with the allotted time that I have viewing the literature, blogs, and video’s, I have been contemplating these questions and others like it.

At the last “Learn To Cope” meeting I attended, I listened to a speaker Melissa Weiksnar. The title of this blog is courtesy of her message and book “Heroin’s Puppet.”

Ms. Weiksnar spoke of her daughter, Amelia, who was bright, intelligent, athletic, who started off doing well in college. But, she died when she was 21 years old, a day after Christmas five years ago from a heroin overdose.

Ms. Weiksnar told the story of her daughter’s life from her perspective and Amelia’s. From Amelia’s vantage point she relied on Amelia’s journals which Ms. Weiksnar had edited and printed into the book “Heroin’s Puppet.”

Like most stories I had heard, the drug usage started off as recreational then became more and more relied upon and abused as the pressures of life increased. As time elapsed for Amelia the drug experimentation had her trying many different types.

As the case with many. Amelia got caught up with the wrong crowd. Once she started on her experimentation, she saw druggies everywhere. Almost like when you go buy a new car, or start thinking of buying a new car brand, all of a sudden, you see that brand everywhere.

With the wrong associations, Amelia experimented with drugs until she became in her own words “Heroin’s Puppet.” It grabbed a hold of her and wouldn’t let go.

I’ve contemplated this from the spiritual side and humanistic side. Overcoming ones negative strong holds can be quite difficult. It’s easy to become entangled with the wrong things of this world. Oh how I wish it weren’t so.

Things initially begin because of our free will. We start off on a path by thinking in a certain manner that starts us off on our journey. Whether we think right or wrong it has us heading off into our future.

I am reminded of Phillipians 4:8:

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Paul admonishes us to think a certain way on certain things that are good and wholesome. We may not be able to control our environment to the extent we would like. And, we may not be able to control the actions of others around us, but we can control our thoughts.

It is my prayer that I might be able to help others who feel like puppets in what little way that I can through this blog, and times I’m able to teach or preach. Feeling enslaved can be heart rendering. But, there is hope!

Drug addiction of a family member can take a staggering toll on the rest of the family. Especially if the situation lingers. Those families who have gone through it will understand completely, and those who haven’t probably will not.

The main point I want to write with this blog is, what do you do in parallel with prayer and exercising of your faith? Are there any legal steps that can be taken? Especially when a loved one does not want to get help. Do you just watch them deteriorate before your eyes?

There is a way. Thankfully, the Massachusetts civil commitment process is documented in Chapter 123 Section 35 of Massachusetts General Law. I first became aware of this process while reporting to the Police a breaking and entering at my home after our TV was stolen.

One of the concerns with involving the Police and the Court System is the prospect of hindering your loved ones future, by having some damning charges on their record. This because your holding out hope against hope that this is just a phase in their life. That the person will get a grip and change. Per Learn To Cope, a peer-led support network for families dealing with addictions and recovery, Section 35 is not:

• An arrest
• Will not appear on a cori check
• Will not disqualify an individual from employment opportunities

To add to that Section 35 is completely confidential.

How To Get A Section 35 Commitment

1. Go to any district court or any division of the juvenile court department.
2. Petition the court in writing, stating the reasons commitment is needed.
3. Meet with the court clinician.
4. Go before the Judge
5. The warrant will be served if there is enough evidence.
6. Court hearing.
7. Treatment

Again per Learn To Cope, “Research shows that individuals who are mandated or civilly committed to receive addiction treatment have the same or higher rates of recovery than those who voluntarily seek treatment.”

There Is Hope

I found it ironic that today’s devotions from Our Daily Bread for April 24, 2015 authored by Dave Branon can fit nicely with this blog.

… There are no easy answers to such big concerns. But for those who have trusted Christ, there is hope — whether we are basking in blessings or grinding through grief. Peter spells this out in his first letter. In glowing terms, he praises God for our “new birth into a living hope” (1 Pet. 1:3 NIV) through our salvation. That hope can bring joy even in the middle of tragedy.

He assures us of the permanence of this hope (V. 4). He then tells us of the heart-breaking reality that we may “suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (V. 6). Those who have suffered loss turn hopeful hearts toward Peter’s next words: These come so that “your faith … may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (V.7)

Trials — seemingly random and inexplicable — can be seen differently in light of these words. In the midst of tragedy, the power and beauty of our salvation can shine through because our great Savior. And that may be just enough light to get a troubled person through another day.

I don’t want to come across as naive and sound as if this is the “cat’s meow.” Those addicted to drugs may have many relapses. But, as a last resort, when health is deteriorating, committing your loved one for drug treatment through the Court System, while continuing to pray and believing for the best, can be the smartest action to be taken at the time.

My daughter came home one day for lunch and our home had been broken into. The person came through the porch window that had a makeshift lock. The person also ripped off the little hook lock off the back door in order to gain entry by yanking on it.

Only the 60″ TV was taken. Now this wasn’t any TV, this one had great sentimental value. Our son had bought the TV for us a Christmas gift a year and a half ago. We were saddened to see it missing.

Now it was very unfortunate that my wife and I knew who the thief was. It was my oldest daughter. She needed drug money.

Originally my wife and I were going to be very tight lipped about this. If my wife and I are not careful we can succumb to great shame, a feeling of embarrassment, and feelings as failures as parents.

My other daughters feel keenly this way. They get quite emotional when they think of their friends, or when they are approached by others they know and are asked about this situation.

The only reason I’m sharing is because at a Prayer Meeting one of the ladies had spoken a couple of times of a “Platform.” My interpretation from that night was that I was to use this topic and others as a platform to speak from.

This is one area which of course I wish that I did not have any experience in. But, experience in it, I do have.

As I listen to a song entitled In Christ Alone, the words “in the power of Christ I stand” resonates strongly within me. My wife and I both feel strongly about this. We are coping by standing strongly on our faith in the power of Christ.

Of course my wife and I can go through the questioning, the self doubt. Were there mistakes that we had made as parents, of course. Could we have been one of the triggers for my daughters slippery road into drug addiction, yes.

On the other hand, the questions arise as well, did we do the best that we could at time? Did we try to nurture her and the other kids, and try and steer them from this lifestyle? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.

One of the things I have learned from the last eight months of watching my daughter deteriorate before my eyes was just how pervasive the opiate situation is in Massachusetts. I was very surprised to learn this.

In the past I always thought and felt of it as a back alley, inner city type of thing. But, this is so not true. I know there is a stigma with this sort of thing, thus one of the reasons for wanting to keep quiet in the beginning.

I now have a thinking that I might be able to help some with my writings and occasional preaching. That there is hope. Hope can spring eternal with faith in Christ. There is nothing impossible with Him.

It’s easy to think on the worst, and the ugly, of this situation. But, I’m always comforted by Philippians 4:4-9 (this is in the Message translation):

^4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

^6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

^8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

It is my hope that this platform I stand on and write from is helpful to others. At least for those parents and loved ones struggling with addiction’s with family members and close friends. Other’s who have never walked this path will probably never understand the pain that this path imbibes. Nor would I ever wish this upon them.

What is it about substance abuse and addictions that have such a great pull over people’s lives? It can be very devastating.

Tonight I was mulling over my life and the situation with my family. Substance abuse has a way of darkening the environment. Constricting the very air around you, or so it seems.

It’s very troubling to see a loved one go in and out of rehab. It’s equally troubling to have a loved one to want to purchase drugs as soon as they get out. You want to grab them by the shoulders and say “Don’t you see what this is doing to you and the family?” It can be heartbreaking.

Yet, through all this I am reminded of the scriptures that state the “My children are taught of the Lord and great is their peace.” Other’s that state that children are a blessing.

In my thinking tonight I remember these stories:

1. David who was a military leader, took his men away from their homes in Ziklag. As they were away, the Amalekite’s came and attacked the city. They burned it to the ground.
   • Wives, children, loved ones were all taken. Including their possessions and livestock.
   • David and his men were devastated and wept, until they couldn’t weep anymore.
   • The men wanted to stone David for their loss out of desperation.
   • But David strengthened and encouraged himself in the Lord. Praising and worshipping his God.
   • He sought the Lord for direction.
   • The Lord delivered the Amalekite’s into his hands. All the loved ones, and possessions, and then some were returned to him.
   • There was great joy had by all.
2. Norvel Hayes speaks of how his daughter Zona was out of it when she was a teenager. She was going to clubs every night doing the “Funky Chicken.” She was far away from the Lord.
   • The Lord instructed him to not preach at her, but to love her.
   • He confessed the word over his daughter regularly. Being extremely careful of His thoughts and words.
   • The Lord had an Angel show up in Zona’s room one night and scare the hee-be-jeebies out of her.
   • Zona is now a minister of the Lord.
3. I remember another testimony from Cho Yonggi:
   • How a person that attended his Church was ashamed of her daughter who was prostituting herself.
   • But Cho Yonggi encouraged her to see her daughter not as the prostitute, but as a wonderful child of God.
   • The daughter turned and became a wonderful devoted Christian.
4. There was a time I was interceding and praying in tongues over a situation regarding one of the people in the Church. In a vision I saw:
   • The air shimmying and vibrating with the sound of my voice.
   • In that environment I saw a half man, half horse creature staggering under the vibrating air. It was leaving under great duress.
   • What I was praying for came to pass as the person’s life turned around.

In these four stories, I am reminded to:

1. Encourage myself in the Lord.
   • To worship and rejoice in Him.
   • I will seek him for solutions.
   • For I know nothing is impossible to Him.
   • I will be expectant for His deliverance.
2. Not preach at my daughter.
   • Not to make her feel bad.
   • But to express love for her.
3. Confess the Word of God over my daughter.
   • I need to be extremely careful of my thoughts and words.
   • I choose to speak words over her that I want to come to pass over her life.
   • Knowing that the Word of the Lord will not return void.
4. To see my daughter as a wonderful child of God, and that drug addiction will become a thing of the past in her life.
5. To pray often in tongues making life as difficult as I can for the demonic entities that have had her bound.
   • Exercising my imagination – seeing the air shimmying around her as I pray
   • Believing for Jesus and the blessed Holy Spirit to move in her life.
   • Seeing the yoke of bondage broken over her life.
   • Imaging her as a devoted women of God.

At this time this is an unfolding drama in my life. I’m hopeful that just as with the stories above, I will be able to write in the future about God’s great deliverance in her life.