In response to a statement by Mexican President Vicente Fox in support of ending the War on Drugs, U.S. expert, Frank Cilluffo, who heads a task force on the narcotics industry for the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said that suggesting legalizing drugs “sends the wrong message to our children.”1
Does it really need to be said that the government is the last tool a parent should wish to use to send a message to their children? Good morals and habits are not taught by government. They are taught by parents. Propaganda and politically correct thinking (aka right thinking, aka not thinking) are taught by government.
What does the Drug War really teach our children?
- That God-given rights may be ignored in the name of expediency. That the interests of the State are supreme. That God is a secondary consideration at best.
- That private property is an illusion. Nothing really belongs to you. Everything belongs to the State.
- That parental authority is exercised only by leave of the State and may be revoked at any time.
- That everyone is suspect, and must be watched at all times. That the non-conformist is a threat to society; that parents must be policed by their children; that African-Americans are sadistic drug pushers while European-Americans are misguided victims.
- That the law is beneath respect. That it ignores common sense and the scientifically proven reality of drugs in favor of hyperbole and paranoia.
- That it is more important to send a message than to do something that really helps people.
James 2:15-16 ‘Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?’
Suppose a brother or sister has succumbed to a temptation that has overwhelmed him. If one of you says to him, “Go, abandon your family and spend some years in prison where you can reflect on your worthlessness and where you can learn to finance your vices through more effective and more destructive criminal behavior!” but does nothing to help him escape from his sin, what good is it?
Do you really want to send a message to your children? Volunteer at a local rescue mission, Teen Challenge, prison ministry, or other organization that helps people out of their addictions. Get your children involved. Teach them that drug addicts are real people with real problems. That they can be helped through love and understanding, but rarely through bullets, concrete, and razor-wire.
1 “Mexican president quoted suggesting eventual legalization of drugs” Boston.com, Monday, March 19, 2001