A recent Lifeway Research study revealed that while opioid abuse continues to devastate communities across the United States, many churches are offering less support for individuals struggling with opioid addiction. This decline in church involvement is concerning, given that the opioid epidemic has led to record-breaking death tolls, with 82,000 opioid-related deaths in 2022 alone.
Opioid Abuse’s Reach Within Congregations
According to the study, 64% of Protestant pastors report knowing a family member affected by opioid abuse, and 45% say a member of their congregation has been personally impacted. However, fewer pastors today report seeing opioid abuse in their congregations compared to five years ago. Despite the growing awareness of the dangers of opioid addiction, many individuals still hide their substance abuse struggles, often making it harder for churches to identify and offer help.
Decline in Church Support
While most churches offer some form of spiritual support, such as prayer or discipleship, fewer are offering tangible support, including food, shelter, or addiction recovery programs. Spiritual support dropped by 10% since 2018, while substance abuse programs decreased by 8%. This decline comes at a time when the opioid crisis is worsening, highlighting the gap in the support network for those in need.
Demographic Differences in Church Support
The study found that white pastors are more likely to know someone in their congregation affected by opioid abuse, but African American pastors are more likely to provide physical support. Pentecostal and non-denominational churches are the most likely to offer spiritual guidance, while smaller congregations are less likely to provide support.
The findings underscore the need for churches to step up their role in addressing the opioid crisis through both spiritual and physical aid.
Source:
As Drug Addiction Issues Rise, Churches Offering Less Frontline Help
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