Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 2B. pp. 283-284. Revised published proposal.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 3-06A
Canonical number: 3-06
Committee: Mercy
Source: Today's Business, Issue 2B
Printed pages: pp. 283-284
PDF pages: 31-32
Version: revised, current-published-proposal
Source reference: Issue 2B, pp. 283-284
Line numbers follow Today's Business, Issue 2B, with numbering reset on each printed page, so delegates can compare this page with the official PDF.
Page 283
- To Encourage Synod to Respond to the Growing Addiction Crisis
- RESOLUTION 3-06A
- Overture L3-09 (TB, 1:45–46)
- WHEREAS, Addiction started with the original sin and the continuing temptation by Satan: “For God knows that
- when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3:5 NIV; see
- also Prov. 25:28; Matt. 26:41; Heb. 4:14–16); and
- WHEREAS, The apostle Paul warns not to sin against one’s body (1 Cor. 6:12–20), Christians are called to obey civil
- law, including not purchasing or using illegal drugs (Rom. 13:1– 7; 1 Peter 2:13 –17), and this warning was also given
- by James: “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (James 4:17); and
Page 284
- WHEREAS, Deaths related to drug overdoses totaled almost 80,000 people in the U.S. in 2024, according to the
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least two -thirds of drug overdose deaths were linked to opioids (CDC,
- cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db549.htm); and
- WHEREAS, More Americans died in 2024 due to opioid -related overdoses than the highest number of Americans
- killed in a single year (CDC, cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/releases/20250514.html):
- • by gun violence (48,830 in 2021 [CDC, cdc.gov/nchs/state-stats/deaths/firearms.html]);
- • by vehicular death (54,589 in 1972 [ Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatality Rates, 1899 –2023,
- cdan.dot.gov/tsftables/Fatalities%20and%20Fatality%20Rates.pdf]);
- • by HIV/AIDS (50,000 in 1995 [CDC, cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00046531.htm ]);
- • in the combined Vietnam and Iraq Wars (62,651 casualties [Defense Casualty Analysis System,
- dcas.dmdc.osd.mil/dcas/app/conflictCasualties]);
- and
- WHEREAS, In addition to opioid- related addictions there is an increase in the use of other highly addictive street
- drugs such as methamphetamine. At the same time, legally obtainable substances are proving addictive. While alcohol
- use disorder remains high (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols -effects-
- health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-use-disorder-aud-united-states-age-groups-and-
- demographic-characteristics), addiction to products such as inhalers and cough medicines, and other over- the-counter
- substances is increasing. There is also a trend in the availability of Narcan-resistant drugs (Brian Mann, “Historic decline
- in U.S. overdose deaths threatened by changing street drug supply,” NPR , April 14, 2026, npr.org/2026/04/14/nx -s1-
- 5783750/overdose-fentanyl-medetomidine-xylazine); and
- WHEREAS, While addiction harms personal mental wellness, and physical well -being, addiction also negatively
- impacts families and communities, according to the Center for Addiction Research and Effective Solutions (AIR,
- air.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/Big-Ideas-Housing-Social-Determinants-of-Addiction-August-2022.pdf). Substance
- abuse and addiction are significant contributing causes for homelessness and incarceration (National Institute on Drug
- Abuse, nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/criminal-justice); and
- WHEREAS, Christians are vocationally called to minister to brothers and sisters in Christ struggling with sin (Gal.
- 6:1–2; James 5:19–20). God gives hope to all Christians who are struggling, including those dealing with addiction (1
- Cor. 10:13; 1 John 2:15–17); and
- WHEREAS, Recovery after years of addiction can be a long process; many in recovery often need job training,
- housing, healthcare, and guidance to obtain work; therefore be it
- Resolved, That the Office of National Mission (ONM) continue to identify and share ways churches and recognized
- service organizations can support restoring the hope of Christ to those impacted by addiction (Heb. 6:19–20), and report
- a summary of these findings and resources to the 2029 Synod convention; and be it further
- Resolved, That the ONM encourage each district to establish at least one new partnership with a faith -based care
- ministry for those suffering from addiction by the 2029 Synod convention; and be it finally
- Resolved, That the Synod in convention pray for those suffering from substance abuse and addiction (Rom. 12:11–
- 12; Phil. 4:13).
