KOLKATA – The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) released a 138-page report on October 21, 2018, entitled, “Taking stock: A decade of drug policy.” The report used data supplied by the United Nations compiled to evaluate its progress of its 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action on Drugs.

The news on drugs is not good.

Not only does the report indicate a lack of progress but it also indicates a marked increase in the illegal use of drugs and drug trafficking on a global scale. Even more shocking, it alleges that both the context and the approach of the campaign have contributed to the increase in drug usage.

The report estimates the illicit drug market is a $650 billion business. More than half of that money is channeled into money laundering, yet less than 1% of the amount laundered is seized. 20% of all criminals in prison worldwide were originally detained on drug-related charges.

It is important to understand that drug abuse is deadly on a personal basis but that winning the war on a global basis is a battle against ‘big business.’

Two years ago, the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Substance Abuse by Children reported that 93% of street children consumed narcotics. In January 2018, it was estimated that there are over two million street children in India.

However, there is also good news.

Setting people free from the bondage of drug addiction has to happen at the personal level. The world at large recognizes this, but many do not understand that drug addiction is not the primary problem.

Christians and Christian organizations understand that our war is “not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

The war against drugs can be won but it must be won on an individual basis in which the addicted are rescued, not only from their bondage to drugs but also from the grips of our spiritual Enemy.

Set Free Ministries in Grand Rapids, Michigan, works with local partners and alongside government agencies in India to reach addicts and has for nearly the past two decades.

Local believers have been working in connection with an addiction center funded by Set Free where those believers work hand in hand with addicts to find true and everlasting freedom in Christ.

Recently, Set Free and its partners gave $30,000 to begin building a new recovery facility for drug addicts and alcoholics in an undisclosed location in Asia. By God’s grace, the government stepped in to underwrite the project with $400,000 for the construction of the new buildings.

Like Gospel for Asia, Set Free is reaching out to the impoverished, the derelict, the forgotten, and the unreached to provide hope for a bright future by offering loving help in the name of Jesus.

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