Solving the Drug Problem Now

“Creating something is all about problem-solving.”

                                                Philip Seymour Hoffman

The tragic death of Philip Seymour Hoffman has startled public attention once again into questioning the drug abuse scourge that plagues our country. Can anything be done?  Sure.  When can we start?  Now.

“Creating something is all about problem-solving,” Hoffman said in an interview with avclub.com.  When asked if creating a character was also about problem-solving, Seymour concluded, “Absolutely.  It’s all problem-solving. Because that’s what people are doing in their lives.  Right now, we’re solving problems, right this very moment.”

Creating fulfilling days and maintaining healthy, rewarding lives might seem enigmatic at times, an unavoidable problem-solving opportunity.  Yet, it’s been written “Good demands of man every hour, in which to work out the problem of being.”

Unhealthy life-styles, including abuse of illicit and prescription drugs, is symptomatic of deeper, underlying issues that sometimes we aren’t even aware of.  “So as an actor,” Hoffman said, “you’re trying to figure out what problem your character is solving, and how they go about solving it, what are the obstacles in the way of solving it, are they aware that they’re actually trying to solve it? That’s the big thing.”

As we problem-solve our way through the maze of life, over indulging in drugs, food and the like might seem an attractive and easy answer to the problems we confront and the uncertainties we dread.  But time and again, these means for relieving our woes turn out to be our worst enemies, only creating new obstacles on the path towards wellness and adding to an agonizing sense of isolation.

Perhaps an answer is found in something as simple as love. It’s love that defends, comforts and pleads another’s cause. In talking about his craft to avclub.com, Hoffman said, “I think that what actors try to do is learn how to advocate for a character.” Solving the problem of drug abuse or the misuse of any substance requires from all of us a selfless love that creates opportunities to advocate for one another.  

The tendencies of condemnation and blame can end the cruelty of abuse as we look past its ugliness and inconvenience, resolving to truly “love one another.”  This is the love that goes deeper than human affection and is encouraged in the Bible. This kind of love heals; and that really is “the big thing.”

Steven Salt is a writer and blogger covering health, spirituality and thought.  He is a Christian Science practitioner, curious about everything.  You can follow him on Twitter @SaltSeasoned.