EAST CHICAGO PASTORS WAGE WAR ON DRUGS

EAST CHICAGO - Cigarette ads, drug dealers, and America's social
sanctioning of alcohol masks the horrors of addiction with illusions
of popularity and fun, the Rev. Michael I. Otano said.

"We are a community in crisis," The Upper Room Church pastor lamented
Sunday.

And he vowed that his parish will do more than pray to save the area's
lost souls.

Not only has Otano, 30, begun giving free all expense paid Florida
trips to members bringing 40 unsaved people to Christ, he has also
begun a series of social outreach seminars to recovering addicts and
to deter drug use.

Troy Talley, of New Orleans, kicked off the series with a two-hour
chemical dependency slide show and lecture, before exhorting 40
visitors to take pamphlets into the city to preach repentance for drug
abuse and alcoholism.

"America is supposed to be the land of the free," said Talley,
standing before a slide of the American flag.

"But two-thirds of adults in America are giving up their freedom by
drinking daily and millions are using illegal narcotics," he said.

"We live in a drinking and partying society. And I'm not talking about
those on skid row. I'm talking about businessmen, and school teachers,
doctors, lawyers, pilots and other professionals who are in society
every day trying to make a living with a monkey on their back," said
the traveling Spirit of Freedom evangelist, whose organization has
denounced drugs for two decades.

Talley said drugs have become an invisible problem, especially for
working-class people who use alcohol for recreation.

He said while career drunks who down "10 shots of whiskey a day may be
considered alcoholics, those who come home from work and drink two
six-packs of beer while watching T.V. aren't thought of as drunks ...
even though they're getting more alcohol. Advertising is creating a
double standard."

That double standard, Talley said, is increasing the rate of social
drinking and threatening the lives, mental states, and families of
users.

Many prisoners, Talley said, are incarcerated because of poor
decisions made while high on drugs or alcohol.

With God, Talley said, and the intervention of Christians, many can be
saved.

Mike Malkimos, 19, said he is proof of that claim.

"For nine years, I was a member of Satan's Disciples. I smoked weed,
did cocaine, drank alcohol. Drugs were part of the lifestyle. Since I
joined the church a month ago I've been clean," Malkimos said.

Talley said all addicts can have permanent recovery.

"I want of all of you to go out into the community, to your friends
and loved ones and tell them Jesus can make a difference. We can win
these souls," Talley told the crowd.