Ok, we all know that illegal drugs are bad for you…understanding that, starts in elementary school when children become educated about such risky behavior. However, world cultures send mixed messaged to young children through the behavior of the adults that they interact with in their lives; and, through exposure on television and in various forms of media. Television often glamourizes the lifestyle of the drug trade. It shows all that it has to offer with money, celebrities, music, expensive house & cars & jewelry and loads of boyfriends/girlfriends…what it doesn’t always address is the danger, the moral/spiritual decay, suicide, murder, prostitution, the dehumanizing treatment of families, and the lack of control of how far they end up sliding into despair.
So, not only do we understand the damage that can come from the abuse of drugs…such as death, brain damage, broken relationships, jail/prison, rotted teeth, damaged health, addiction, prostitution, theft, and many other physical ailments…but we begin to see a moral decay as well. People appear to have very little value to the drug addicts; and or, the people who supply them with the drugs.
This week a very disturbing story made the news about a young boy, from Las Vegas-Nevada, who was forcibly taken from his home by people posing as police officers. They tied up the young boy’s mother and her boyfriend, ransacked the home, and took the six year old boy named, Cole Puffinburger. The reports are that the boy was kidnapped out of some kind of retailiation; allegedly involving, (unknown to us), relatives of the boy and a drug deal. Parents lose custody of their children everyday because of their relationships with drugs or alcohol. But in this case, the people removing young Cole were NOT protective services…it is probably, people involved in the drug trade. No one appears to know whether Cole is safe or not at this time. If you have any information please call the Las Vegas Metro Police at: 702-828-5678. Update: Cole’s grandfather has been arrested on Friday night by U.S. Marshalls. It is believed that he has been laundering money for Mexican Nationals involved in the drug trade. The Grandfather has been hiding out. It is being alledged that he owes the Mexican drug cartel, between 8-20 million dollars. Pray for Cole’s safe return…hopefully, the grandfather will have information that will lead to finding Cole (alive and well). Abductions are taking place more often near the Mexican boarder. This is a national problem that we need to address…pray for the DEA who try to fight the good fight…pray that those who are tempted to go to the other side, stay strong!
It is frightening and sad how little value is placed on human life anymore. This poor young boy was put in harms way because of drugs; and or the buying/selling drug lifestyle. Is this little boy going to be alright? His playmate chums in the neighborhood and in school are worried about him…they are frightened. Whether it was the relatives that Cole lived with or others that were involved in his life…this child has been placed in danger due to the direct actions of people who he trusted; if the news reports we are hearing are true.
Children all around the world are impacted by the choices their caregivers make. Those caregivers (parents) who use illegal drugs or alcohol aren’t making rational decisions, oftentimes, because their thought processes are impared by the drugs/alcohol.
Please say a prayer for Cole, his friends and family (i am sure there are other family members who weren’t involved in the drug deal who care for Cole); as well as all children who’s lives have been impacted by the destruction that comes from the relationship of drugs/alcohol in their environment. Have you or someone that you cared deeply about been affected by destruction associated with this kind of lifestyle?
You’ve heard the saying that people who abuse drugs or alcohol say to back off…because it is their life; the thing is…that drug abuse affects us all. It starts with each individual choice to use or not to use. They often think that they are in control of the drugs or alcohol…but, it doesn’t take long for that to shift…and the drugs or alcohol are controlling them…and affecting everyone around them. It is a big business with high stakes…people get involved in things that they can not control. www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/
Update on Saturday October 18th, 2008…it appears that the authorities have suddenly pulled the amber alert that was put out for young Cole. There has been no further information. There is supposed to be a news conference this afternoon. As soon as there is updated information released…i will add it to this page.
New update: Cole has been found walking alone on the streets while detectives were handing out flyers about him. Thank you God…thank you to the volunteers…and thank you to those who prayed for his safe return. There were no further details given.
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