This question is from Faith Seeking Freedom: Updated & Expanded, available in paperback, PDF, and Kindle.

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man lying on floor in grayscale photography — Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

No one can guarantee that any solution to addiction will totally eliminate it from society. However, we can minimize the extent to which well-meaning government policies incentivize and enable this sort of destructive behavior. We live in a fallen world, and sin is a part of that world. Those of us who are strong are called to bear with the weak and build them up despite their infirmities, and to seek their good pleasure rather than our own (Rom 15:1–3, Phil 2:3–4).

In such an environment, rather than relying on government sanctions to make temptation impossible—a strategy which does not seem to be working anyway—we would instead be called to demonstrate self control, not merely for our own sake but to help the weaker brother not to stumble (1 Cor 8). Taking personal responsibility and choosing to take care of the needs of others seems harder than relying on external restraints, but by following Jesus’ example, we can aid the weak and serve them far more effectively than government ever will (Gal 5:13, 1 Thess 5:14).

If drugs were legalized, how can we be sure…