Barbara,

>Doug, my sympathy about your brother (mine is named "Larry" also). The fact remains that none of these people will change because of you or me. They must want to do it themselves. And then it CAN happen overnight. All we can do is have the help available immediately when they decide they want it.

I totally agree that folks must want to change. I guess, looking at things from the vantage point I've been in, that God can indeed directly intervene. Regardless, the individual always must participate in and be responsible for the decision(s). All the folks I've seen fail at recovery have been those who, at some level or another, consciously choose to refuse personal responsibility and accountability.

That stands no matter what your spiritual pov IMO.



>
>>Barbara,
>>
>>To the best of my knowledge my older brother Larry had a bullet put through his brain as a direct result of being a junkie. Haven't seen him since 1967. I also spent 5 1/2 years running and helping to run Christian 'halfway' homes in the early 70's in Southern California and for anyone who argues that taking drugs is somehow 'cool' or doesn't cause anyone but the drug-taker any harm I'll volunteer to be the first to tell then they're just plain nuts and don't have a clue.
>>
>>There is an answer for drugs but many/most are unwilling to take it. I have seen junkies cured instantaneously.