The Lives Behind the Pictures

     In recent months, heroin has taken seven lives here in Naperville.  Wheatland Salem Church, the DuPage Child Abuse Prevention Coalition, and the Naperville Public Library recently sponsored the panel discussion, “Heroin: Stemming the Tide”.   The response was so huge, that hundreds had to be turned away. 

     Many of us have seen pictures of those who died – beautiful, handsome young people.  There are lives behind the pictures of those who died too young, those who were trapped in drug use.  These are lives that ended much too soon - lives that knew fear, pressure, anguish and self-esteem agony that many of us may never know.   Those left behind face a grief that no parent should have to bear.

     My heart aches for everyone caught in the drug-world: both drug users and the families trying to cope with this problem.  I hope the families who have lost loved ones to heroin and other drugs can feel our empathy and love.  Thank you to for hosting these question-and-answer panels.  And bravo to a community that is waking up to this challenge.

      I hope that this wake up call for our community brings out the greatness for which we are known.  I hope it makes us stronger as we unify and work together to find solutions.  Every community faces problems.  We can face this one together, without finger pointing and guilt.  We can resolve to end this tragic drug use.  I love a verse from this song of David, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Ps. 133:1)

      Facing the problem is one thing, but finding the sources of the illegal drugs is another.  It is time for us to stand behind the efforts of the Naperville and Aurora police departments and School Districts 203 and 204, as well as the clinical therapists at Linden Oaks and other healthcare facilities.  For those of us who turn to prayer for strength and answers, no matter our religious tradition, we can continue to pray for this community.

           In my belief, as a Christian Scientist, I am turning to the Bible and finding nuggets of truth to help me understand God’s unconditional love for all.  Psalm 119, verse 18 states, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”  To me, that is a prayer that helps us all stand vigilant, and helps those in authority to uncover what seems very dark and overwhelming to the rest of us.  I am also turning to the book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, and finding promise in these words, “Evil is not supreme; good is not helpless; nor are the so-called laws of matter primary, and the law of Spirit secondary.”

     There were real lives behind those pictures.  Precious lives - ones that will not be forgotten.  Hopefully, they will stand as a reminder that all of us need to reach out the best we can to help others.  With God’s help, our unified community can find solutions to this drug problem.