A Matter of Choice?

I recently started watching The Cleaner with Benjamin Bratt. It's a show about a former drug addict who now has a mission from God to help others. He has passion and sensitivity towards those in the dark shadows of the night. I've never drank or did drugs, so I have found it fascinating to watch people put their lives at risk in order to get high.

We all make bad decisions, and that is really what they have done. Instead of facing their issues, pain or hurts, they have turned to something to numb it. People don't just use drugs and alcohol to do this. I've seen people use food, sleep and even exercise as an escape. Anything to an extreme becomes an addiction.

What I did not agree with after last night's program was a PSA about how doing drugs is a "disease"...they have no choice in the matter. This is so far from the truth! We all have a choice to turn right or left. Once the substance is in their system, yes, they can addicted. It does become difficult to break the habit...any habit is hard to break. BUT we all have the same choices. Drugs are everywhere for anyone to find. Alcohol is in ever store. Food surrounds us.

I cannot say that drug addicts or alcoholics have a disease and therefore remove the responsibility that is theirs. I can say, however, that society is letting us all down by pitching and selling quick fixes...drugs, diets, get rich schemes, etc. Our world does not want to do the hard work. Our society does not want to face the music of owning our own junk. We need to take responsibility-plain and simple.

With that said, the Cleaner has increased my awareness of hurting people who need unconditional love and support. Something is broken, and it won't get fixed with judgement. We should not look at it as a disease and treat it but rather look at a broken person and how to mend their hearts.

What says you?