It was 1967 when I was offered my first drugs. I remember saying to the drug dealer, "Why would I put anything in my mouth and swallow it when I don't even know who you are?"

Then I proceeded to give him some wise advice, "Best you get away from me before I hurt you". I was never offered drugs again.

Since that time, an epidemic has swept over our America that I still don't understand - an epidemic of drug abuse so serious that some actually think that our best solution is to make drugs legal. Yeah, right!

But recently I heard a completely different spin on how those of us that grew up in the 40's, 50's and 60's - how we were drugged. See if any of these sound familiar:

I had a drug problem when I was young:
I was drug to church on Sunday morning.
I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.
I was drug to family reunions and community socials
no matter the weather.
I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults.
I was drug to the woodshed when:
I disobeyed my parents,
told a lie,
brought home a bad report card,
did not speak with respect,
spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or
if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.
I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out
with soap if I uttered a profanity.
I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds, and cockleburs out of dad's fields.
I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to:
mow the yard,
repair the clothesline, or
chop some firewood;
And, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in
everything I do, say, or think.

They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us.

May God bless America
May God bless you

Jerry Stewart

P.S. email me with your own thoughts and ideas regarding our America at stewartreport@onemomentinamerica.com

JS