Special Program on Substance Abuse and Related Violence

"For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, says the Lord ... "
Jeremiah 30:17

SPSARV develops United Methodist Church leadership to provide ministries of prevention, treatment and advocacy as they respond to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug issues.

The approach to this ministry is multi-faceted, international, and intergenerational.

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Family Smoking Prevention & Tobacco Control Act

The U.S. Congress passed this act after nine years of struggle. President Barak Obama signed the bill into law on June 22 during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House. This new law gives regulatory power over tobacco to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). SPSARV joins with the General Board of Church and Society and Faith United Against Tobacco in celebrating their lead advocacy efforts for the legislation to be put in place.
Read more:
FDA to Regulate Tobacco by Wayne Rhodes, Faith in Action, on umc.org
Senate Approves FDA Regulation of Tobacco by Janet Hook on latimes.com

Addiction in Afghanistan

Recently, the Today Show and other media sources ran stories about addiction in Afghanistan. The people of Afghanistan deal daily with uncertainty and violence, which is directly related to the increase in substance abuse, especially among young people. This story illustrates the global nature of substance abuse, and one of many ways that poverty and violence are related to addiction.

Finding Hope in Recovery: Families Living With Addiction (Offsite Link)

ABC-TV will air a special from Mennonite Media featuring families and individuals affected by addiction, along with insights from professionals in the field. It will air January 4 through February 22 at the discretion of local ABC-TV stations. A listing of stations airing the program can be found at interfaithbroadcasting.com.

Family Response: Final Article Marking National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month

by Rev. Cynthia Sloan, SPSARV
10/3/08: The focus is on families living in this turmoil.

Family Testimony: SPSARV Fifth Witness

by Carolyn P.
10/3/08: "My story is the same story that is heard over and over ... My marriage ended in divorce and I found myself a single mom--a drinking, single mom ..."

Announcing the Hope, Healing, and Health Reading Circle

A New SPSARV Resource
10/3/08: An extensive reading list and an online community are the latest tools in the United Methodist recovery effort.

Young People Respond to Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Related Violence

by Chad Bumgardner, SPSARV
9/26/08: This fourth article marking Recovery Month includes witness by a college student.