Strengthening Family Ties : Reinforcing The Basic Social Unit
According to the concept of Tabula Rasa, the mind of a child is like an empty vessel. Whatever it perceives, it absorbs, it processes, and eventually, lives out. If we agree to the truth of this, then we can certainly transform a child into two possible persons: a god-fearing, law-abiding citizen, or make him one of the most notable evildoers in history. Obviously, no parent would ever want the second outcome. Any sane parent certainly wants the first option.
In order for a child to belong to the first category, which can prevent him from walking into the path of criminality such as selling and using drugs, the following should be considered by a mother and father, or any concerned family member.
Live by setting an example
It is said that if you are a true preacher, you must “practice what you preach.” Not all parents can be preachers, but all of them can certainly show the right path to their kids by preventing actions that will be imitated by the youngsters in their homes.
If you are the kind of parent who has no control over your seemingly harmless vices, then your children will most likely think it is alright to just do whatever pleases them. Eventually, they could be hooked into cigarettes, alcohol, and possibly prohibited drugs.
If you really love your children, you have to harness self-control and the proper motivation to avoid what has to be avoided. Declining from anything addictive may deprive you from simple pleasures, but it can can certainly offer you something more in return– stronger family bonds.
Provide unmatched love and affection
“Home is where the heart is.” Anyone can surely attest to the truth of this. Since nobody can be in contradiction with this statement, then all family members should offer the kind of love that no outsider can ever match.
Statistically, most stowaways and fraternity members stray from staying at home for the most common reason: they are not getting the love they want and the love they deserve from their own homes. Knowing this, any family member, especially the parents should provide ample time to their children so they can feel loved and safe within the confines of their own home.
In effect, they would rarely seek love and affection elsewhere, diminishing the possibility of them joining groups that might encourage them to perform illegal activities such as using addictive substances.
Seek divine assistance
No matter how wise or resourceful you are, there are things that are simply beyond your control. You could work round-the-clock, indoctrinating your kids so that they will avoid all sorts of vices. The next thing you knew, they are already trying some stuff behind your back.
They can be the most hard-headed rebel like you were during your younger years, or they could be the most devoted disciple. But unless you have a set of omniscient eyes like that of a closed-circuit television system, you can never watch and guide your loved ones at all times.
Thankfully, we have someone who can do that job for us– The Lord God Almighty. If you make the decision to adhere to His divine providence, you can absolutely obtain the kind of protection that no superhero or Mafia don can ever offer. Study His words and pray to Him on a constant basis and in the most sincere manner, and you can be certain that your family is on the safest sanctuary.
Battling Organized Crime : Defeating The Prime Culprit
This statement is oftentimes heard: “Jail the pusher, save the user.” While understanding the two parties can in fact help us solve drug-related problems, the level on which the pushers and users stand is only the tip of the iceberg. For a better war-waging against drugs, people have to deal with the engine from which the pushers harness their strength from: organized crime.
During the commencing months of World War II, almost every governmental structure all over the planet were still greatly destabilized. To cope up with the world's losses, the people tried to fashion their own brand of government so that they can, in effect create their own brand of justice.
No solid law enforcement agency is capable of protecting them during that period. For this reason, they sought protection from the nearest gangsters which obviously possess the power and influence they need. Such groups, under the leadership of a mob boss offer protection against oppressors– oftentimes, rival gangs. None of these groups are actually lawful in any way.
But for the people around, it is a matter of survival, and the fittest and the strongest seem to always stand triumphant. In order for them to feel safe, they submit to the mob boss they deem strongest by paying respect and money.
Eventually, the mob boss would protect them indeed. This is an unlawful scheme, but they don't seem to have a choice... it is the only kind of protection they have.
Today, the world's governments are already established and are quite capable already of giving what the people needs. Unfortunately the gangsters are still strong enough to have a solid foothold: they are still capable of unleashing brute force so that people of all social levels can fall into their trap.
They are still very capable of establishing illegal activities like gambling, illegal logging, human-trafficking and yes... the spreading of illegal drugs. These are certainly out of the legal system, but they can make it appear legal anyway. These gangs are like a virus... they are incurable.
Such a scheme is evidenced by crime syndicates such as the Yakuza, a Japanese group, Triad, the most dangerous gang in China, and the Cosa Nostra of Italy. (popularly known as the Mafia) During their early days, these gangs use to just run illegal activities that are relatively harmless such as gambling and prostitution.
However, as their influence continue to thrive, they resorted into something more dangerous: narcotics, which they realized is the thing of the future. Somehow, they figured out that there is more money if they sell drugs. The substance is habit-forming and is addictive, so anyone hooked into it will buy some more.
As of 2013, it has been calculated that the illegal-drug trade in the Philippines is now worth P8.4 billion. This could be partially due to the fact that the Mexican Sinaloa Drug Cartel, the biggest drug ring in the world, has now extended its tendrils into our local soil, a fact given to us by our very own Philippine National Police.
If we refuse to take action on this matter, the figures could rise, and the damage it could inflict will be too hard for us to recover from. We have to intensify our endeavors, and come up with more appropriate solutions before it’s too late.
