Core Competencies for Clergy and Other Pastoral
Ministers In Addressing
Alcohol and Drug Dependence in At-Risk Youth
Rev. Fred Smith, Jr., Ph.D.
Overview
These competencies are presented as a specific guide to the
core knowledge, attitudes, and skills essential to the ability of
clergy and pastoral ministers to meet the needs of at-risk
youth with alcohol or drug dependence and their family
members.
Youth At-Risk
Risk Factors:
 Alcohol and drug use
 History aggression
 Violence at home and
neighborhood
 Academic failure
 Divorce, relocation
 Access to firearms
 poverty
High-Risk Behaviors:
Criminal activity
Fighting /victimization
Drug/alcohol abuse
Selling drugs
Carrying a weapon
Gang membership
Dropping out
homelessness
Despair or Hope
In at Risk Youth
Dr. Fred D. Smith Jr.
Nihilism
 By nihilism I mean an existential condition that refutes distinctions in
moral values a sort of utilitarian relativism grounded in a deep angst.This
is cause by a constant struggle to cope with meaninglessness, hopeless and
lovelessness.With CornelWest, I view this nihilism as a threat because the
chief moral value that is rejected is the value of human life itself.
Materialism becomes the ultimate and determining value, but value that is
without moral or rational rootedness that leads finally to a spiritual
nothingness.
Nihilism
 Many at risk youth today are largely alienated from the political
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life of the community.
They had no respect for the government in general.
Most felt that law was not there to protect them but instead to
control them.
Outside, of their mother and grandmother, there were few they
respected.
They were at war with police.
They tell story after story of racism, brutality, and criminal
behavior of police that they, their relatives, or close friends have
experienced.
Nihilism Continued:
 There was a profound sense of loss for their missing fathers. Many
had never met their fathers
 Important value in life, to the overwhelming majority of the older
boys, cash money was the ultimate value.
 The greatest fear was of poverty. To be without means was
demeaning. So they were determined to earn money by any means
necessary was important.
 A job was preferred by most. For the most part these young men
were very materialistic.
Fatalism:
 By fatalism, I don’t mean a doctrine that all everything in our lives are
predetermined by fate. By fatalism I mean despair as an existential
condition of a profoundly depressed state being with or without a specific
object. It is a sense of an inability to affect change in the course or
direction of ones life for the better. It is powerlessness over events, persons or
conditions that impact ones life’s chances it is a sense of hopelessness,
meaninglessness and powerlessness.
Fatalism
 80% envisioned a career as a professional football or basketball player. Yet most
had a fall back plan.
 When questioned about the likelihood of achieving their goal, the mood turned
somber.
 For more than 90% of those who responded, questions about what might stand
in their way (violence, the prospect of an early death and run-ins with the law)
made their dreams seem unlikely.
 They also had mostly negative experiences with teachers. Many feel it doesn’t
matter how smart they are… their talent will not be recognized because they
have been pigeonholed from very early on in their educational career.
A Spiritual Search
 Significance- What is the purpose of my life? Will or does
anyone notice that I live?
 Meaning-Why am I alive? Why does the world treat me this
way?
 Acceptance- Does anyone care that I am alive? Will people
accept me for who and what I am?
Competency 1
 Be aware of the:
· Generally accepted definition of alcohol and drug
dependence
· Societal stigma attached to alcohol and drug dependence
Chemical Dependency
 The result of the inability of a person’s body to produce a
chemical or to create the chemical balance needed for the
person’s health and well-being. Such incapacity requires the
regular use of chemical substances for a person to live a full
life, such as a diabetic’s need for insulin.
Chemical Dependency
 Such dependence becomes a serious problem when it is
marked by the compulsive use of chemicals for the purpose
of mood alteration and accompanied by harmful physiological
changes
Alcohol dependency (alcoholism)
 An addictive disease in which the sufferer is physically and
psychologically dependent on alcohol. The alcoholic’s body
cannot process alcohol chemically and systematically. Because
of the addictive nature of alcohol, the alcoholic loses control
over his or her drinking behavior.
Alcohol Dependency
 Alcohol becomes a major focus for the person’s behavior
and thinking. The person loses the ability to make sober
choices over the use of alcoholic beverages. The loss
brings harm to the person’s physical, emotional,
spiritual, and social well-being. With this loss of freedom
to choose, the alcohol dependency develops into a lifethreatening addiction.
Dependency on God
 Persons who believe in God experience a healthy dependency
on God’s love and care. God’s grace saves them from what
would harm them in an ultimate and eternal sense.
Dependency on God
 Persons’ dependency on and trust in God enables them to
develop life skills to be fully human in the way that God
wants them to be. Christians point to the saving life of Jesus
Christ. Christian Life Skills
Christian Life Skills for Alcohol and
other Drugs
In At Risk Youth
Dr. Barbara Rogers
Creator
Adapted by Dr. Fred Smith
Life-Skill #1:
 Assists children and youth in self-care, self-understanding,
self-respect and self-esteem.
 Issue Every 5-hours a child or teen commits
suicide. Suicidal behaviors, depression and self-destructive
behaviors are on the rise among children and youth.
 Scripture: Luke 10:27, Psalm 139:13-17, John 3:16
Competency 2
 Be knowledgeable about the:
· Signs of alcohol and drug dependence
· Characteristics of withdrawal
· Effects on the individual and the family
· Characteristics of the stages of recovery
The Warning Signs
 Drinking for the effect of the chemical itself; purposely
taking the drug alone to feel better.
 Preoccupation with alcohol and drugs neglecting school
work.
 Hanging around with the wrong crowd, sneaking drinks;
using drugs alone
 Binge drinking- Gulping first drinks or drugs to get the
effects as rapidly as possible
Life-Skill #2
 teaches children and youth to think responsibly, realistically,
critically, honestly, biblically, and in preparation for academic
success.
 Issue Everyday 17,297 students are suspended from public
schools. Every 9 seconds a student drops out of
school. Pornography is becoming mainstream and target
children, youth.
 Scripture: Ephesians 4:23, Philippians 4:8, Proverbs 16:3,
Philippians 4:13
Competency 3
 Be aware that possible indicators of the disease may include,
among others: family conflict, school violence (physical,
emotional, and verbal), sudden poor school performance ,
suicide, hospitalization, or encounters with the criminal
justice system.
Addictive behavior
 The person’s behavior becomes compulsive, responsive
to what might be called an “inside command” or drive to
act in a certain way, despite the harm caused. This can
lead to family conflict, school violence (physical,
emotional, and verbal), suicide, depression, or
encounters with the criminal justice system.
Self-Deception
 The addict losses control over using the drug. This loss of
control is physical, mental and emotional. Thus he or she
rarely sees himself or herself as the problem. They blame
other people or circumstances for what happens. This selfdeception leads to conflicts, resentment and run-ins with the
law.
Life-Skill #3
 helps youth and children to establish biblical values and
understand how to set goals and make good decisions.
 Issue Every 20 seconds a child is arrested. Negative
influences of the media and peer pressure are destroying our
children and youth.
Competency 4
 Understand that addiction erodes and blocks religious and
spiritual development in youth; and be able to effectively
communicate the importance of spirituality and the practice
of religion in recovery, using the scripture, traditions, and
rituals of the faith community.
Spirituality
 Is the experience of being connected deeply with ourselves,
others, nature and God. The focus of addiction is on
experiences and connection with the drug. The drug then
mediates our experiences and connectedness with our self,
others, nature and most profoundly God. For youth
connections is everything. They are highly spiritual.
Life-Skill #4
 helps youth experience God, develop a relationship with Him
through Christ, understand His Word, and share in Christian
fellowship and a variety of wholesome activities free of
alcohol and other drugs
 Issue Statistics on good health and well being are much
higher among those who pray and participate in a faith
community.
 Scripture: II Corinthians 5:17-18, Ephesians 2:8 & 9
Competency 5
 Be aware of the potential benefits of early intervention to
the:
· Addicted Youth
· Family system
· Peers
Benefits of early intervention
 People with addictions get well
 Families heal
 Money is saved
 Life gets better
 Recovered people give back
 Congregations rejoice
 Communities are safer
Life-Skill #5
 helps youth understand and manage their sexuality: body,
mind, spirit, whole being without the use of alcohol or
drugs.
 Issue Every 24 seconds a baby is born to an unmarried
mother, every minute a teen parent gives birth. Alcohol and
drugs are involved in 90 % of unwanted pregnancies.
 Scripture: I Corinthians 6:19-20
Competency 7
 Be able to communicate and sustain:
· An appropriate level of concern
· Messages of hope and caring
An appropriate level of concern: Telling
the truth.
 Telling the truth in love is possible if the religious leader has come to
terms with her or his own attitude towards the illness and those suffering
from it. The religious leader must be sufficiently self-differentiated to
withstand the possible rejection that may ensue from honestly and
lovingly naming the presence of the illness.
Life-Skill #6
 helps youth engage life issues of vocation, politics, economics and
other social situations.
 Issue Unemployment rates for African American males are three
times higher than for European American males and three times as
many black children live in poverty than white children.
 Among all persons experiencing unemployment and/or poverty,
there tends to be a higher level of ill health, developmental
disabilities, stress, and emotional difficulties. Which Alcohol and
Drugs are used as a form of self medication.
 Scripture: Joshua 1:8 & 9; Proverbs 10:29 & 12:27; Romans
12:1
Competency 8
 Be familiar with and utilize available community resources to
ensure a continuum of care for the:
· Addicted person
· Family system
· Affected children
Speaking openly and often on issues of
addiction
 Preaching and teaching
 Promote the idea that illness & imperfection are inherently human
conditions, and that help and hope are available.
 Develop a process for welcoming people who are new to recovery
Life-Skill # 7
 encourages wholesome relationships with friends, family, co-
workers, and others in responsible, respectful and caring
ways. This may be accomplished through twelve step
programs and recovery support groups for youth struggling
with addictions.
 Issue Child neglect, abuse, and family violence can cause
children and youth to experience developmental delays,
learning disabilities, and emotional problems.
 Scripture: Luke 10:27-37; Proverbs 16:7; Luke 6:27-45
Competency 9
 Have a general knowledge of and, where possible, exposure
to:
· The 12-step programs – AA, NA, Al-Anon, Nar-Anon,
Alateen, A.C.O.A., etc.
· Other groups
Referral Information
 Nearest 12 Step group in the area
 Al-Anon Group
 Alateen Group
 Other available groups
12 Step programs
 Know the 12 steps of AA
 Know the 12 Traditions
 Know the factors that will contribute to the success of a 12
step group
Life-Skill #8
 helps youth with anger management, understanding and
managing their various feelings in constructive ways.
 Issue Every 8 minutes a child is arrested for a violent
crime. Violence in the media, road rage, sports rage, and
other such behaviors are a growing menace in our world.
These behaviors are often related to alcohol and other drug
abuse.
 Scripture: Psalm 119:11
Competency 10
 Be able to acknowledge and address values, issues, and
attitudes regarding alcohol and drug use and dependence in:
· Oneself
· One’s own family
The function of attitudes
 The attitudes that we bring to the table as we deal with addiction are
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formulated in a variety of ways:
Parents
Peers
The Media
Religion and Religious leaders
Personal Experience
Life-Skill #9
 helps youth understand and avoid addictive and unwholesome
elements in life: drugs, alcohol, overeating, junk food, poor use of
the Internet/music/videos/DVDs/movies, etc. It encourages
fresh air, exercise and good positive life style habits.
 Issue There is an epidemic of overeating among children, youth,
and adults. Every 9 minutes a child is arrested for drug
abuse. Everyday a young person dies from HIV infection.
 Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23, II Timothy 1:7, Romans 12:1&2
Competency 11
 Be able to shape, form, and educate a caring congregation
that welcomes and supports persons and families affected by
alcohol and drug dependence.
Understanding addiction illness
 Many Pastors lack understanding of misuse or addiction
to alcohol and other drugs.
 12 percent of America’s pastors who are engaged in
pastoral counseling have any training at all in addiction.
 More than two-thirds of the issues they deal with in
counseling have roots in addiction.
 Many judge addictions as a sin which discourages a caring
congregation.
Competency 12
 Be aware of how prevention strategies can benefit the larger
community.
A Comprehensive Community Model
 Personal and Communal Health and Growth
 Prevention
 Treatment/Recovery
 Public Policy/Law Enforcement
 Revival of Hope
Personal/Communal Health and
Growth
 Humanization of social services
 Support nurturing social institutions
 Inclusive respect for all people
 Expanded Head Start programs
Prevention
 Accurate information
 Acceptance and care for persons in need
 Parenting education
 Full support for education
 After-school programs
Public Policy/Law Enforcement
 Care for families of victims and the victimizers
 Decriminalize addiction
 Support activities to “ take back neighborhoods”
 Work with probation officers