Knox Thedford Overture on Addictions

WHEREAS the COVID 19 pandemic has impacted every community across Canada, has dominated every newscast and has touched every congregation, every family, and every person

WHEREAS the serious matter of drug addiction and the impacts of addiction have gone under reported across Canada and each community,

WHEREAS border closures have impacted the flow of opioids and other drugs, resulting in an increase of drugs on the street that have a variety of unsafe additives resulting in overdose and increased toxicity,

WHEREAS addictions and their harmful impacts have not diminished, but instead have actually increased,

WHEREAS the resources to help those caught in addiction have been impacted by COVID 19, increased risks to their health both with COVID transmission, with support group meetings curtailed, shelters facing additional stress, and families isolated,

WHEREAS rural and remote communities include people with addictions, and their families, and yet lack resources to help, shelter, treat and support those caught in addictions and their families, who face transportation issues, treatment and recovery,

WHEREAS the Church of Jesus Christ has been called and commissioned to care for those in need, those who need healing, those who need encouragement and support as family members,

WHEREAS congregations in rural and remote communities across Canada have a role to play in caring for their community, and have an important opportunity to do so in the COVID 19 crisis and its aftermath,

THEREFORE the Session of Knox Church, Thedford, Ontario, humbly overtures the Presbyterian Church in Canada to create a national working group of rural and remote congregations; such a working committee would offer information, examples and ideas of meaningful responses, encouragement, and possible funding for rural and remote congregations to be active participants in providing help for those caught in addiction and their families; to provide counselling to those caught in addiction and their families in their hometown; and to be able to serve people in their local community in the name of Jesus Christ, with the care, compassion and welcome Jesus calls us to show (Matthew 11:28-30; Matthew 25:31-46; James 2:14-17). Whereas this request involves leadership in congregations, it might well be best served by Ministry and Church Vocations, in consultation with Justice Ministries;

Or to do whatever the General Assembly in its wisdom deems best.

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