As
part of the monthly R.A.I.D.
meetings, one of the segments is called “Fifteen Minutes of
Learning.” At tonight's meeting held at Apollo Assembly
of God Church in Apollo, PA, the Armstrong County Coroner was our guest.
Being
careful not to divulge sensitive information, he mentioned one
woman who had overdosed on heroin 27 times. I had to write that
number down, as it was seemingly incredible and indescribably sad.
She overdosed and was “brought back” using Naloxone (a.k.a.
Narcan) each time. She died on the 28th
overdose. Naloxone couldn't save her that time, as she apparently
had built up a resistance.
What
a sad account! While it highlights the epidemic of drug abuse and
the effectiveness of Naloxone, it also reminds us to appreciate this
brief and fragile thing called life. The time to “get things
right” is always now.
“Later” is not guaranteed. If you or someone you know is
battling drug or alcohol addiction, please talk with an addiction
recovery specialist. Your life might depend on it!
There
is another factor in this story, one that many would prefer I not
mention. When that woman died, where did her soul go? Much tender
patience went into helping her fight drug abuse. Did anyone tell her
about Jesus? Did anyone share the plan of salvation with her?
When
you
die, where will your
soul go? The Bible says that “it
is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment”
(Hebrews 9:27). Invest in your soul this weekend. Go to church.
Talk with the pastor about the Person and work of God's Son, Jesus
Christ. Only Jesus can rescue you from spiritual death.
