Drug and Covid Deaths

We are transitioning from lockdown to going downtown. When this thing hit, (my readers will know immediately what “this thing” is) the streets were literally empty, parking was no problem, and stores were boarded up. Restaurants are opening up, we can go camping again, and beaches are experiencing the seasonal sunbathers. This is good news. Unfortunately, British Columbia has had 162 deaths of Covid since January. Globe and Mail posts that 79% of Covid related deaths are in long-term care nursing homes. That statistic is astounding for two reasons:

1. Why are we not doing more to support our most valuable assets, our elders, and

2. That means 66 people died that were presumably under the age of 65 in a province of 5 million people.

Conversely, the Nelson Star reports that the Coroners office has recorded 382 illicit drug deaths from January to April of this year. That is more than twice as many, but no province-wide lockdown, no billions of dollars to deal with drug use and no state of emergency declared. Why is that? Is it because Covid is something you catch, while drugs are something you take? Is it because there is a sense of they deserve it, while Covid deaths are undeserved as in no fault of their own? Regarding drug related deaths, we often think of it as “street” use, but many of these are not in this demographic at all. They are executives, teenagers, construction workers, youth, middle aged and seniors who would be considered good and respected citizens. Drug use and mental illness are hand and glove. It goes together like bananas and ice cream. And our approach is bananas. One psychologist, Dr. Henry Cloud estimates that 75,000 deaths will be a result of mental health issues caused by the present methodology dealing with Covid 19. Drug related deaths are spiking, drug use is at an all time high, and hospital visits due to drug use are at an all time high according to Global News, but all we talk about is protecting ourselves from contracting Covid.  Many are suggesting the emotional and spiritual effects going forward are going to be far worse than the pandemic itself.

What would be the result if we had the same resolve to deal with mental health issues as we do with the Covid 19 crisis? What does the Bible say about all of this?

Philippians 2:4 “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 John 3:17-18 “But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

Each one of these scriptures can be and are useful for direction in our struggle with Covid. It is an expression of love to wear a mask, to physical distance, and to wash your hands. However, what are we doing to demonstrate love to the 382 unfortunate families who have lost a family member? And what are we doing to help prevent another 382 from this same fate? How are we supporting those who are struggling with Mental Health issues? That question is as important as dealing with Covid 19.

The number one way we can help each other is to share God’s healing love and his message of salvation. We have just concluded a series called the Doctrine of Sin. We determined; we are all sinners needing grace from God and from each other. Now we want to start a new series called the Doctrine of Salvation (SOTERIOLOGY). It is God’s answer to the Human dilemma of being separated from the life and presence of God. This series will answer some important life questions. We look forward to you joining along with us.

Jim Reimer, Pastor

May 28, 2020