Posted: August 31, 2024   •   Posted in: Action, Reflections

Drugs – One Quaker’s perspective

In view of the harm done by the use of alcohol, tobacco and other habit-forming drugs, consider whether you should limit your use of them or refrain from using them altogether. Remember that any use of alcohol or drugs may impair judgement and put both the user and others in danger.  (Advices & Queries 40)

From personal to professional experience

On hearing this advice read in a recent meeting for worship my interest was piqued. I worked as a social worker for a Drugs and Alcohol Agency for 20 years, from 1993, to 2013. As a young person I used alcohol and a variety of drugs without any regard for personal safety. All a long time ago, so any expertise I may have had on the subject went many years ago! But those experiences have shaped my attitude.

As a teenager, drug taking seemed exotic and outré to me. Drugs were the embodiment of forbidden fruit, a view endorsed by a society that had made them illegal. Rather than put me off, this encouraged me to experiment. It was only through doing so that I discovered the real risks involved.  It seemed there was no meaningful guidance from anyone in a position of authority other than “Just say no.”

As a drugs worker, I observed that heroin and alcohol were the most problematic substances. In 2010, the Study by The Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs indicated that alcohol is more dangerous than heroin when the overall dangers to the individual and society are considered. As a societal issue, the problems associated with drug use, including alcohol, have grown exponentially. Governmental response, however, has remained largely static, still defined by The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The young and disadvantaged are most affected by drug use, and the outdated Act continues to fail them. In my view until drug policies are revised based on scientific evidence, vulnerable individuals will remain at risk.

What can we do?

I like the non-judgemental tone, and compassion implicit in the above quote from Advice and Queries.  With little in the way of governmental guidance, it is left to voluntary agencies and individuals to address the problem.  On an individual level, what I feel does help, is to:

• listen to people who experience problems, with a degree of humility and respect.
• refrain from telling people what they should do, and focus on how they are feeling.
• learn from others rather than to preach at them.
• demystify the subject, so that it is not taboo, and can be approached rationally with a view to helping rather than condemning.
• take ownership, and realise that it is our problem, and not just that of disaffected others.

And finally, to maintain that there is that of God in everyone, and to honour that belief.

Postscript

Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs (QAAD) offers support to individuals and meetings and are committed to raising awareness and improving understanding.

David W (Beccles Meeting)