Among the foremost problems of our time are those created by the increasing use of drugs and alcohol.

Drug abuse is estimated to affect nearly one-fourth of America’s college and post-college people today. Alcoholics and problem drinkers comprise one-sixth of the population over 18 years of age. Traffic and safety authorities estimate that alcohol is involved in over 50 percent of all fatal automobile accidents in the United States.

The urge to use marijuana, LSD, alcohol and other drugs as an escape mechanism not only speaks of the pressures under which we live, but also indicates something of the moral and spiritual conditions of our time. Equally serious are the signs of increasing acceptance among certain state legislatures, and on many college campuses, of the idea that so-called “mind expanding drugs” such as LSD and marijuana, should be legalized. Above all, those engaged in the production and distribution of alcoholic beverages continue their massive, and largely successful efforts to make Americans a drinking people.

The National Association of Evangelicals believes the evidence to be clear that the use of drugs has become a leading factor in the soaring crime rate, and that such use increasingly results in the loss of lives and the destruction of property.

We are alarmed that marijuana is today widely defended as being “no more harmful than alcohol.”

We deplore the evidence that at high levels and from many quarters immense pressure is exerted, to encourage more and more people to drink at an earlier and earlier age. Even the federal government has become involved, through the support of a multi-million dollar study of the use of alcohol, in efforts that seem designed to neutralize remaining public opposition to the use of beverage alcohol.

We hereby record our firm condemnation of efforts aimed at abrogating the laws against the possession and use of narcotics, hallucinogens, amphetamines, barbiturates and alcohol. We commend those who continue to consider it their duty to prosecute violators of existing laws, whether it be in regard to sale, possession or use of such drugs and alcohol.