STIMULANTS AND NARCOTICS

Stimulants are substances that increase activities in the body and nervous systems. While
Narcotics are drugs or substances that reduce pain, induces sleep and may alter mood and mental
alertness, self-control, judgment, perception etc.
Ellen White sees stimulants and narcotics at three different levels of harm. First and most
harmful is alcohol and tobacco. Second is wine, beer and fermented cider. hird are the
condiments and stimulating drin!s" tea, coffee, mustard, pepper, spices, and pic!les.
She seems to see all of these acting on the system in a similar way, though to a different degree.
She felt that all of these stimulants wear away the life forces and debilitate the system. With the
use of stimulants, more will be accomplished for a time" but, as the system becomes debilitated
by their constant use, it gradually becomes more difficult to rouse the energies to the desired
point. he demand for stimulants becomes more difficult to control, until the will is overborne
and there seems to be no power to deny the unnatural craving. Stronger and still stronger
stimulants are called for, until e#hausted nature can no longer respond.$
%o what e#tent can one indulge the li&uor habit and be safely trusted with the lives of human
beings? He can be trusted only as he totally abstains. 'oderate drin!ing is the school in
which men are educated for the drun!ard(s career. )f one must drin! it should be healthy, water
or fruit wine. No wonder Ellen disagreed with the notion that *esus +hrist turn water to
,lcoholic wine rather grape wine,
he !ey to the promotion of temperance is to reach the youth" this is best handled at an early age,
in the home and through education. he core principle is that the right balance of the mental and
moral powers depends to a large e#tent on the right condition of the physical system. -y
discouraging the use of rich, unhealthful food that wea!ened the digestive organs and a desire is
created for food that is still more stimulating. hus the appetite is educated to crave continually
something stronger. -y indulgence of perverted appetite people lose their power to resist
temptation.
,ll narcotics and unnatural stimulants that enfeeble and degrade the physical nature tend to
lower the tone of the intellect and morals. he only safe course is to touch not, taste not, and
handle not. Where some are prescribed for certain aliment, the dosage should not be e#ceeded.
While for other moderation is the watch word. ,ll unhealthful practices of past generations that
affects the youth of today should be eliminated.