"Neither repented they of their murders. nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornications, nor of their thefts" (Rev. 9:21).

The word translated "sorceries" is the Greek word pharmakeia, which means "druggings." It is the source of our English word "pharmacy" and "pharmaceutical." To convey its true meaning to the modern mind I would translate it "drug abusings." Please note that drug abuse is here associated with murder, fornication, and theft.

Today the drug bug is found worldwide. The problem has spread from college students to high school students and even non-teenagers! Despite the intensifying efforts of federal agents, military forces and local police, the flood of illegal narcotics continues to rise in America. Responsibly-minded parents do not know what to do. Drug abuse continues to cause chronic ill health and to increase the number of accidents and crimes in our land. This is all a part of world communism to weaken our defenses and to make ready the West for communism.

Some drug addicts claim that drugs help producereligious feelings. They claim to get nearer God by this means. This is the Devil's delusion. The god of drugs is not the God of the Bible, but the Prince of Darkness. Satan is using drug abuse to bring men to ruin and destruction. Stupefying and hallucinating drugs have been associated with sorcery and witchcraft for ages. The purpose of these drugs is to divest the user of the control of his mind, making him easily available for possession and control by evil spirits. It is time that we Christians realized that drug abuse is Satanic.

The United States is a drug-happy society! Illicitdrug use per capita in the U. S. exceeds that of any other industrial nation. Japan, America's keenest competitor, has the lowest drug problem of any developed nation. Americans spend 100 billion a year for drugs and alcohol.

Industry is losing as much as 25 billion dollars a Year as a result of employees who snort, inhale, or inject illicit substances. The toll takes the form of slow productivity, absenteeism, lateness and irrational decisions.

American youngsters have slipped over the last years in academic achievements, and some experts believe that alcohol and drugs caused the decline.

Crime and accidents, which bring untold grief and loss to families and individuals, are increasingly linked to drugs. We often hear of some person dying from an overdose of drugs.

Despite increased efforts of the Reagan Administration, law enforcement is powerless to stem the traffic in marijuana, cocaine and other drugs. Even though 1.2 billion dollars has been spent to combat the drug bug, marijuana and heroin imports have jumped ten percent and cocaine four percent. Only about five to twenty percent of the cocaine. heroin and marijuana being shipped into the U. S. is being stopped at the border. The General Accounting Office, the investi gative arm of Congress, estimates that the 2.8 million pounds of marijuana seized at the nation's border in 1982 was only 16 percent of the supply, the 608 pounds of heroin confiscated was just 10 percent of the total, and the 12,500 pounds of cocaine intercepted was 11 percent of the amount on the streets (See U. S. News & World Report, May 16. 1983. pp. 57-58).

Colombia supplies the world with 59 percent of its marijuana, and 75 percent of its cocaine. Southwest Asia supplies the world with 48 percent of heroin, and Mexico 33 percent. Colombia provides 59 percent of the marijuana to the 20 million American smokers and 75 percent of the cocaine supply for 5 million habitual U. S. users. Tons of dangerous narcotics cross the U. S. Mexican border illegally each year. More than 70 percent of cocaine and marijuana enters our country from the State of Florida, which has a 1,300-mile coastline.

It would be wrong to say that all drugs are bad, for they are not when properly used under the supervision of a doctor. Drugs properly used can relieve pain, prevent infection and save lives in limited amounts. But when taken too frequently they can destroy body tissue. impair healthy bodily metabolism, enslave by addiction and ultimately kill. Any drug can be dangerous depending on the dosage, the duration of use, its purity and many other factors. No drug in the world is completely safe, for it has the potential to hurt and harm.

A good example of this is Morphine. It came into wide use as a pain killer during the American Civil War of 1861-1865. It was so effective in treating wounds and amputations that doctors sometimes referred to it as "G. C), lui:.""---God"s ovvn medicine. But then it was discovered that proiongc?d use led to agonizing withdravvitr symptoms, ""God"s own medicine" turned out io be tlne ""C)evil"s o\i\rn misery" as hllndreds of war veterans becrrme clrurJ addicts.

For a time in the history of this republic we had a dope fiend's paradise. Opium and morphine were legally and conveniently on sale at low prices. Hundreds of patent medicines containing opium and morphine were on the market. Finally, the Harrison Act. passed in 1014, limited the addiction-producing drugs imported in the U. S. to the amount necessary for medical use. In 1924 Congress tightened up the Harrison Act by prohibiting the import of heroin altogether, even for medical use. Federal laws prohibit the dispensing of most drugs today without a prescription.

One of the growing problems seldom mentioned in our society is "polymedicine," a syndrome in which several drugs interact to produce an adverse reaction. A recent study published in the journal of the American Medical Association estimates 31 percent of the elderly make clinically serious, sometimes lifethreatening errors, in the use of prescription drugs. Recent studies conclude conservatively that in the U. S. 12 to 17 percent of elderly patients admitted to hospitals are suffering from drug-induced problems.

Marijuana is derived from the female plant commonly known as Indian Hemp (cannabis sativa). The flowering tops, stems, and leaves contain an intoxicant (tetrahydrocannabino/). When smoked, marijuana quickly enters the blood stream and acts on the brain and nervous system. It affects the user's mood. perception, and psychomotor coordination. It causes impairment of short-term memory and slows learning (amotiuational syndrome). It also may cause confusion and anxiety and even damage the lungs.

Some 43 million Americans are current users of this drug. In 1980 more than 25 million Americans spent some $24 billion for the illegal privilege of regularly smoking marijuana (See Time Magazine, March 8, 1982, p. 73).

Many people say, "Pot doesn't hurt me." Others will quote from medical reports of "pro-pot" doctors who continue to rate marijuana as "harmless." But marijuana is not harmless. Medical reports indicate that it does the following: (1) Damages chromesomes; (2) It changes hormones in women and makes abnormal sperm in men; (3) It impairs breathing and damages the lungs; (4) It causes abnormal brain activity and changes the brain cells; (5) It causes goallessness---the drop-out syndrome; (6) It makes changes in perception of time and space; (7) It may lower immunity to disease (See Family Circle Magazine, Feb. 20, 1979, p. 22).

The smoking of tobacco has become one of America's acceptable sins. The smoking of tobacco is drug abuse. The nicotine in'tobacco becomes something the user craves. The user can develop a dependence upon the drug---psychic and maybe even physical. As many people know who have tried to kick the habit, there are withdrawal symptoms: anxiety, nervousness, headaches, etc. Nicotine is one of the most toxic drugs known. That is why it is used in insecticide sprays. In toxic doses it can cause death by paralysis of the respiratory muscles.

In 1982 Surgeon General C. Everett Koop said: "Cigarette smoking is clearly identified as the chief preventable cause of death in our society and the most important public health issue of our time" (Time Magazine, March 8. 1982, p. 72). The American Lung Association estimates at least 300, 000 Americans die prematurely each year from the effects of smokin~ tobacco. Millions more live on with crippled lungs and over-strained hearts. Despite these alarming facts, 70 million Americans smoke tobacco and 2 million teenagers are joining the crowd to smoke 559 billion cigarettes.

There is a double standard in our country that God is not pleased with. Society condemns the use of marijuana and condones tobacco. Parents must come to see their own drug problem if they are to ever solve the drug problem of their children. Our Lord Jesus Christ condemned a double standard (Matt. 7:15). Smoking tobacco won't send you to Hell, but it will make you smell like you just came from there.

Cocaine comes from the coca bush which grows in the Andes Mountains of South America. Farmers process its leaves into coca paste, then cocaine. It is usually found as a white, orderless, fluffy powder. Its appearance resulted in the slang name of "snow." The drug is either sniffed or injected directly into the blood stream.

Cocaine is used by no fewer than 15 million Americans (See U. S. News & World Report, March 22, 1982, p. 27). A survey of high school students back in 1981 revealed that 16.5 percent used cocaine. About 70 percent of it enters our country through Miami, Florida. Police report that more than one fourth of Miami's 614 homicides in 1981 were drug related.

The immediate effects of cocaine are intense excitement, euphoria, a sense of great physical strength and mental power. These first reactions are replaced by symptoms such as these: anxiety and possible feelings of persecution, depression, hallucinations and convulsions. Repeated use of cocaine may result in aggressive and criminal behavior (See Don't Guess About Drugs). Romans 6:16 says: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness."

Heroin is a white. crystalline powder. The drug is produced by the introduction of an inexpensive chemical into morphine. The result is heroin, which is actually several times more powerful than morphine. America has 450,000 to 500.000 addicts to heroin (See U. S. News & World Report, May 6. 1983,p.57).

Heroin is usually injected or sniffed. "its immediate effects include: a dulling of the senses, including pain. or depressing of the central nervous system, grogginess, sense of well being, lack of coordination, impaired thinking, drop in blood pressure, slowing of respiration and circulation, stupor or coma.

"Less immediate effects of continuing use of heroin include these physical reactions: loss of appetite, malnutrition and serious loss of weight and constipation" (Don 't Guess About Drugs).

L. S. D. (d-lysergic acid diethylamide) is an odorless, colorless, tasteless drug derived from wheat ergot. It is the most potent member of the Hallucinogens. In high schools and colleges it is said Halt L. S. D. will expand the mind, give increased perception, and even give you a religious experience. More than 250,000 college students have tried L. S. D.. and many high school students are experimenting wper ep.

L. S. D. is a mind-altering drug. Its effects are dangerous and deadly. It causes serious psychiatric disorders. Users believe they possess unusual powers with disastrous results from taking chances. Several persons have committed suicide or have had suicidal urges.

Alcohol is the most widely used drug in the world. Because it is so much widely used. the damage done by its abuse is far greater than the damage done by the abuse of all psychoactive drugs combined. Like the use of Tobacco, it has become one of America's "acceptable sins."

There are an estimated 20,000.000 alcoholics and problem drinkers in the U. S. This figure includes 500.000 children from nine years up. More than $35,000,000,000 is spent each year to purchase alcoholic beverages in America. A publication from the: U. S. Department of HEW states: Each day, alc~holism and problem drinking in the U. S. costs our ecbnomy $69.5 million." An estimated 400.000 Americans die each year from alcoholism and other alcohol-related ailments.

Alcoholism is devastating to one's health and his immortal soul. If heavy drinking persists for years, a person will suffer irreversible damage to his mind and body. His resistance to disease in general will decline. Several disorders may develop in the brain, stomach, intestines and related organs. One of the most common is cirrhosis of the liver. which afflicts about 10 percent of all alcoholics. The damage to the soul is worse, for the Bible says that no drunkard will enter into the kingdom of God (I Cor. 6: 10).

Americans have some hidden drug problems. Among the most widely abused non-narcotic drugs are amphetamines, commonly called "pep-pills." When administered in the proper dose under a physician's care they can be beneficial to a person. Amphetamines stimulate the actions of the central nervous system. These stimulants are being misused or abused by businessmen, housewives, students, athletes, and truck drivers.

Long term heavy users of amphetamines are usually irritable, unstable, and like other heavy drug users, show social, intellectual, and emotional breakdown.

Then there are the barbiturates. Unlike amphetamines which stimulate the central nervous system, barbituates depress the central nervous system. These are used in minor forms by the medical profession to relieve anxiety, stress and tensions. But many of these minor tranquilizers, including Valium and Librium, can lead to tolerance and dependence. The abuse of these can depress respiration, affect heart rate, and decrease blood pressure and temperature.

Barbituates are used by people to escape serious personal problems, or to counteract the effects of stimulant drugs. Unsupervised use can result in mental and emotional confusion and loss of muscular coordination. Barbituates, when combined with other drugs, can result in very serious intoxication or death. Barbituates are the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the U. S. John 8:34 declares: "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin."

The Bible condemns, not the use, but the abuse of all drugs. It goes so far as to say in Galatians 5:20 that no sorcerer shall inherit the kingdom of God. As I have already shown, the word "sorcerer" means in modern English "drug abuser."

Millions of people have been bitten by the drug bug. Many use them to evade frustrations, to lessen depression and feelings of alienation, or to escape from themselves. This flight from reality does not solve a person's problems. Rather, it adds to an already bad situation. Once the Devil gets a person hooked on drugs he thinks he must stay on them to escape the withdrawal symptoms. By such a situation the Devil leads such people into a life of crime and immorality to get money to buy drugs. The drug abuser is not his own master. He is a slave to Satan an the drug that he is abusing.

II Peter 2:19 well describes the condition of a drug abuser: "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." Are you your own master! Or could it be that you are a slave to some drug pusher and the drug he sells to steal your soul for the Devil!

Drug abuse is a terrible thing. It is destructive to one's health and well being in this present world. It is destructive to his soul in the world to come. Revelation 21:8 says: "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers (or drug abusers) and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8).

If you are guilty of drug abuse, Christ can free you from this jail of the Devil. Confess this sin and all other sins to Christ and trust Him to save your wretched soul and help you break the habit. Seek medical help from your physician, or drug abuse center. You need a radical overhaul of your life. You need regeneration and conversion. Only Christ can truly satisfy the needs of a man, not drugs and the Devil. Don't be one of Satan's suckers!

America's addiction to drink and drugs costs more than $100 billion a year. This is an awful waste of the money God has entrusted man with as His steward. Surely there will be serious consequences for this misuse of money at the judgment. Some who are hooked on drugs have been known to steal $40,000 worth of goods a year to support their habit! I wish to make a few suggestions in closing this message:

1. Be sure to use habit-forming drugs only with your doctor's prescription. Be a good example by not abusing drugs.

2. Develop good health habits. A strong body does not crave stimulants. Seek spiritual resources for wholesome stimulation. Knowing Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit is far more exciting than the use of any drugs.

3. Fill your life with serving the Lord Jesus Christ and enjoying Him forever. Be faithful to attend the services of the church. This will keep you away from drug abuse and out of the wrong crowd.

4. If you learn that someone is peddling drugs, please notify the authorities. It is the responsibility of both the individual and the community to keep the dealers out.

5. Do what you can to assist anyone wanting help for a drug problem. Be sure to seek also the aid of a trained person. Witness of the gospel of Christ to all drug addicts, for only Christ and medical help can solve their problems. Remember, that those made free by Christ are free indeed (John 8:36).