Physical Addiction is Easy to Quit, but Mental Addiction is Hard to Overcome

號角月報加拿大版 二零二五年五月

In 2020, British Columbia launched the "Safer Supply" program aimed at reducing drug users' dependence on street drugs. The government prescribed hydromorphone, a pharmaceutical with significantly lower potency than heroin (approximately one-tenth of the strength of street drugs). Rev. Lo, however, believes this program is ultimately harmful to youth. "Prescription drugs are provided to drug users (note: the BC government announced amendments to the policy in February this year), but there is no medical personnel on-site to supervise usage. Whether users actually consume these drugs is unknown. Moreover, increasing evidence shows that addicts are reselling government-provided drugs to young people for cash, which is then used to buy stronger drugs."

An internal document leaked in February revealed that the volume of prescribed "safe drugs," such as hydromorphone, has increased 20-fold in recent years. A significant portion of these drugs has been diverted for sale not only within British Columbia but also across Canada and even internationally.

Rev. Lo emphasizes that genuine drug rehabilitation requires filling the void in one’s soul by replacing substance dependency with faith in Christ. Accompaniment is crucial—a supportive presence helps individuals stay away from drugs and resist those who tempt them. This, he believes, is the essence of gospel-based rehabilitation. He advises that parents of children addicted to drugs should not conceal the issue out of "family shame." Instead, he suggests that calling the police for help might save the child's life, as "being arrested is a better outcome than dying from drug abuse." Furthermore, parents must avoid providing money to children for purchasing drugs, as this can jeopardize their lives further. When parents feel unable to intervene effectively, Rev. Lo recommends advocating for the right to participate in counseling sessions or requesting a change in counselors when necessary.

For more information, visit: Open Door Community Ministries www.youropendoor.org

While the Canadian government promotes a drug policy of "Harm Reduction" through measures such as "Safer Supply" and "Supervised Injection Sites," Rev. Li questions whether these measures truly reduce harm. "On the contrary," he argues, "they increase harm—for individuals, families, and society." He elaborates: "The so-called 'harm reduction' policy does not genuinely reduce harm. If a person continues to use drugs, their physical, mental, social, and work capacities are all damaged. This is harm to the individual. When a child uses drugs, it devastates parents, leaving them heartbroken with nowhere to turn for help, which is harm to the family. When drug use becomes rampant, addicts commit robberies on the streets and heavily consume medical resources, causing harm to the nation. True 'harm reduction' should involve quitting drugs, turning one’s life around, working hard, refraining from theft and robbery, and relieving the nation of the financial burden of supporting drug use."

Rev. Li shares his own story, beginning his drug use at the age of 16. "People always said trying it once wouldn’t hurt and that addiction takes time. Initially, that seemed true. People were 'chasing the dragon,' and I joined them. But while others truly caught the 'dragon,' I felt nothing. I wondered why others could feel so 'high' (excited). I kept using drugs until I finally caught the 'dragon,' and the feeling was indescribably euphoric. After that, I couldn’t escape it."

He contrasts the differences between Southeast Asia and Canada regarding addiction recovery: "I came from Singapore, where quitting drugs is easier than in Canada because drug users in Southeast Asia often reach a dead end quickly. In Canada, there is too much government support, creating excessive codependency among drug users. Without hitting rock bottom, they won’t change. Drug addiction is a mental addiction, and mental addiction lasts a lifetime. Only a complete transformation of life can free someone from mental addiction. Relying solely on personal willpower is very difficult. We must rely on Jesus Christ to build a new life."

For more information, visit: Breakthrough Mission Canada Life Transformation Center www.btmcan.org

Danny Yang has been a dedicated volunteer at the Operation Dawn Canada for 18 years. He began by leading Bible studies and later joined the board of directors as a volunteer board member. Yang highlighted the growing severity of youth drug use in Canada, noting that the Chinese community has not been addressing the issue seriously. "When community seminars are held, if the topic is about course selection or academics, many people attend. However, attendance is low for seminars on preventing drug abuse. Some parents believe their children would never use drugs, while others worry that attending the seminar might make others think their children have a problem. Sometimes even churches hold misconceptions, saying: 'No one in our church uses drugs, so there’s no need to organize these seminars.'"

Although mainstream society in Canada has youth gospel-based addiction recovery programs such as Teen Challenge, Danny Yang emphasized the uniqueness of the Operation Dawn in its understanding of Chinese culture. "Drug addiction is not just an individual's issue; sometimes, it involves family problems as well. We can reach out to parents and help them address these issues. One of our participants not only overcame his drug addiction here but was later baptized and eventually became a pastor. His father once made a promise, saying that if we could change his son, he would also believe in Christ alongside his son. In the end, they were both baptized together and joined in Christ."

"To overcome physical addiction, all one needs is rest—sleeping for a week can suffice. However, what is truly difficult to deal with is the addiction of the heart, the inner brokenness. This brokenness is not easy to mend; only with 'God in the heart and the Holy Spirit within' can one become 'a new creation.' As the Bible says: 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.' (2 Corinthians 5:17)"

For more information, visit: Operation Dawn Canada www.operationdawn.com

Later, B and his friends began selling "space oil," a new drug used in e-cigarettes. Between 2022 and 2024, B used it heavily, but now he no longer wants to live that kind of life. "When I used drugs, I was always with friends. Now, those friends are either dead or in prison. Without friends to use drugs with, there’s no longer that sense of happiness. I don’t want to end up like them, so I don’t want to use drugs anymore. I came to Canada for rehabilitation because it’s too easy to access drugs in my home country. I don’t want to give myself the opportunity to choose drugs again."

Chan