Our drug problem is basically a religious one

Blaming others for our problems is an age-old habit. If someone smokes three packs a day for 40 years and dies of lung cancer, the family blames the tobacco company. If a neighbor crashes into a tree while driving home intoxicated, he blames the bartender. If our grandchildren are brats without manners, we blame the television.

We often blame other countries for our drug problems. We spend a lot of time and money trying to stop the flow of illegal drugs into our country from Mexico and other countries. However, the problem is not with Mexico or these other countries. The drug problem is with us, the citizens of the United States of America.

The drug problem is also a religious problem. God has made us with a hole in our hearts that the Divine Presence can only fill. When we try to fill that hole with something else that is not God, we feel empty and turn to drugs or other additions.

About 1,600 years ago St. Augustine finally found Jesus Christ and the satisfaction he was looking for in his life. He wrote in his “Confessions,” “You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” When we try to fill our lives with anything that promises ultimate happiness, we will come up empty.

Our economy is based on supply and demand, buying and selling. Often the sellers try to convince us that if we buy a certain product, we will obtain happiness. Another angle to their message is, “Buy our product and you will be someone important. People will look up to you.” When we accept their sales-pitches, we will always come up disappointed. Material things can never totally satisfy us.

We should never define ourselves by something outside ourselves. We are sons and daughters of our loving God, and we get our identity by that basic relationship. However, like all relationships we must continue to work at it so it can grow and take over our lives.

Many young and older people today have given up the practice of their faith. God is not really an essential part of their lives. Since God is not an important part of their lives, they turn to other stimulations to get them through the difficulty of each passing day.

Jesus invited us to come to him with our burdens. This is what he promised, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30)

A person might argue, “If I use a little marijuana, what harm is that? It’s like taking a glass of wine or beer.” Where did that person get that marijuana? Probably Mexico. We have been reading and hearing all about the problems the Mexican government is having with drug cartel there. The cartel is killing many innocent people so that these traffickers can continue the flow of drugs into the United States.

The person who is smoking marijuana is supporting the Mexican drug cartel. They are supporting criminals. All our actions have consequences. We need to make the right choices in life based on God-given principles.

So let’s not blame Mexico or other countries for our drug problems. Materialism and commercialism have led many people astray. Let us be focused on who we are and where we are going. Let us invite the Lord into our lives so we can have that true satisfaction that we are seeking.