Teen Challenge continues to help men overcome life of drugs

Drugs will rob a person of anything important in life. Family. Friends. Work. The list goes on. There is hope, however.

On Saturday Teen Challenge International of Mid America, a faith-based organization, held its annual banquet in Cape Girardeau. The night included singing and testimonies. New this year, each man in the program sat at the table with supporters.

The men come from a variety of backgrounds. For some, the path to drugs started with a mother or father who had a drug addiction. But this was not the case for all. Some of the men grew up in good homes. They have caring parents. Somewhere along the way they were introduced to drugs or alcohol and a life of dependence ensued.

Now for the hope.

The Rev. James Bolin, executive director of Teen Challenge International of Mid America, told the audience on Saturday that the local organization, one of 250 around the country, is the second largest and is closing in on No. 1. This is impressive.

The community has rallied around Teen Challenge with financial support and prayers. About 170 men are in the program here, and Bolin says there is still room to grow. The banquet is the organization's big fundraiser, and the crowd was one of the largest.

Christians celebrate Easter because of the message of Jesus' resurrection, the miracle of new life and being reborn.

For the men who go through Teen Challenge's 14-month program, this message is central to their recovery. We commend those who support it and pray for God's blessings on all the men, and their families, who seek a fresh start in life without dependence on drugs.