HAROLD KELLER

Alcohol, drugs can kill a future Spring has sprung and the run for the Final Four and the crowning of a college basketball national champion, both men and women, is history. Baseball is in the air. The school year is coming to a close, and plans are being made with great anticipation for school proms and graduation. Vacation trips are just around the corner. This has to be one of the most exciting seasons of the year. With so many people looking forward to so many exciting things, what could possibly destroy the best of plans and maybe ruin the future of some promising young people? I’m sure we could think of a few things, but this week I want to address this message to our young people about the greatest enemy to their future. This enemy is well known to all – alcohol and illegal drugs. Speaking specifically to high school students preparing for the prom and graduation, I appeal to you to act responsibly, stay alcohol- and drug-free and enjoy what should be one of the best and most memorable times of your life. It was more than 10 years ago when I met a young man at a high school drug awareness meeting. He admitted he was a casual drug and alcohol user. Five months later, while under the influence of alcohol and enjoying what he thought was a fun evening, he was speeding and had a head-on collision which killed two people. I visited him in jail. Because of the mercy of the victims’ family, he didn’t spend much time there. Over the last few years we’ve met on occasion, mostly at different drug treatment centers. He’s still using drugs, abusing alcohol and being in bondage to his guilt because of one reckless evening that not only took the lives of two people but also left a wound on the families involved that will never completely heal. This young man, now 33 years old, is still running from his past. How tragic this one night of making a bad decision to have a so-called good time turned out to be a split-second that destroyed the dreams of many people, ending the lives of two innocent victims! Yes, spring has sprung. Plans are being made. Dreams are being developed. Please, I repeat, please don’t let the enemy (alcohol and drugs) rob you of what God has planned for your future. HAROLD KELLER is affiliated with the Get High on Life religious motivational group. He can be reached at P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084 or by calling (985) 652-8477.