Opioid addiction, including prescribed medications, is now a national emergency taking more lives than the most threatening diseases. The easily lab-synthesized fentanyl opioid is causing the highest number of overdoses, in part because it can't easily be distinguished from other drugs, and in part because it is generally mixed with other drugs, meaning those who partake may not even know they are putting fentanyl in their bodies. Prescription medications can legitimately treat pain and other health problems, but they can also quickly become an essential go-to to deaden despair, anxiety, stress, sorrow, and loss of hope. In other words, chemicals act as a substitute for the peace and solace to be found in the Word of God. So the issues is complex, part medical, physical, psychological, part spiritual. The question is how the Church will respond to this raging challenge. For more Christian commentary, see my website at rexmrogers.com.
