We are well aware that drug addictions are, basically, a pandemic in our society today. It is not only a problem in major metropolitan cities, but it literally crosses all social and economic boundary’s.

I know. I was addicted to pain killers a few back after almost 7 years of use.  My father had a drug problem. One of my brothers as well.

As a police officer, I also arrested my share of people that was found to be in possession of drugs. Drugs of various kinds. I also have seen that a policy of “lock them up” does not mean they are able to get “cleaned up.” Many times, these things are still available IN the prison system. Many times, these people get released and go right back to what they’ve always known. The same neighborhoods and friends and environment. There has been rehabilitation offered, or at least no rehabilitation that really made a difference.

My guest today in Christina Dent, the founder and president of “End It For Good,” a 501-c-3 non-profit formed in 2019.  Christina Dent is a politically conservative Christian, who supported criminalizing drugs, until she became a foster parent and saw up close the negative effects the current system was perpetuating on those who needed the most help. She researched why drug-related harm was not decreasing and she became convinced it was because the criminal justice system is simply the wrong tool to be used for addressing the drug problem

Christiana, you also referenced what the nation of Portugal did in their “war on drugs.” But they went about winning their war in a very different way than we have in the United States – and achieved a very different outcome. Tell us about that…

I can hear the voices now, “if we legalize drugs then everyone will be a drug addict.” But you believe it will be different. What would we need to put in place IF this nation took the approach the Portugal did with their drug epidemic?

I guess, Christiana, I was aware of what these drugs were doing to me. Gaining weight. Lethargic. Exhausted all of the time. That was motivation for me to stop. But that was me.

What do most people need to happen, in their life, for them to stop? The idea was, if we criminalize drugs, that will make people stop. Why doesn’t that work?

How does your organization try to bridge this gap?

Now, I also had my faith to back up my decision to stop. I prayed and stood on scripture and all of that. All night long - until I was finally so exhausted I might be able to fall asleep – even if it was only for a few minutes.

But what about those who do not have their faith to rely on? What can we, as a society to differently than “lock them up” in order to build stronger families, safer communities and thriving citizens?

Christina, this is so interesting. You and your organization are doing a marvelous work. I learned a lot from preparing for this interview as well as right now, just talking with you. I also believe our listeners have learned a lot as well  and may now have new perspective of things.

If someone wanted to get in touch with you or your organization, maybe to check out your services, ask you to come speak or maybe just to do an interview such as this, how can they do that? How can someone get in touch with you?

Folks, the war on drugs was a good idea, just implemented in the wrong way. As Christina Dent has shared with us, we have fostered an environment that simply intensifies the dependency; intensifies the addictions and intensifies the mindset that it all must remain hidden.

We, as a nation and as communities, MUST change our mindset in order to effectively change the mindset of those who are truly being harmed. Those using the drugs themselves.

I’m in agreement with Christina, we need to relook at how we, as a nation, are trying to deal with this drug problem. We need to...