CHRISTIAN COUNSELING PANEL Dr. Chase, President Professor Norman Wright, Chairman Religious Education Department Talbot Theological Seminary Dr. Vern Lewis, Chairman Psychology Department, Biola
Answers are abridged from ad lib radio discussions on "The Biola Hour." Material is meant to be helpful and inspiration, not to provide a com plete treatise on any of the specific subjects discussed. To summarize, there is a wonderful demonstration of God's love in His pattern for us in our own lives. Plus, there are many practical suggestions which would help us to have a stronger marriage as well as a stronger relationship with the children in our homes. Q. "Is marijuana physically or psy chologically harmful?"
moved on from there to what are known as heavier or hard drugs. Marijuana becomes the dread "stepping stone" to all types of addictive drugs. This is why we use the term "domino effect." One bar rier falls and the rest begin to tumble down with them. Once some walls of inhibition are brok en down, everything of rationality quickly slips away. As a source for added material we would suggest you write to: The National Clear ing House for Drug Abuse Infor mation, 5454 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20015. If you are interested, they could of fer some very valuable help. Q. " What can a Christian parent do to make sure that he is creating in his home the kind of situation where a son or daughter will not feel a psychological need to use marijuana, even from an experi mental standpoint?" Page 15
A. It depends on what you mean by "harmful." Most recent re search findings do not indicate that it will always create physical de pendence. We must keep in mind, however, the problem of psycho logical dependence. If the individ ual is a chronic user of drugs he develops what we call "habitua tion." He forms a habit of use over a period of time. Taking marijuana may have resulted in reducing ten sion, which has been pleasurable to the one involved. He has found it to be a very powerful reinforcer without using something in the real world to deal with his problems. Alcohol is used in much the same manner. In testimony from many drug addicts, as well as research along this line, it is quite apparent that many of these unfortunate people started by using marijuana but
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