I have told myself many times that crack was evil but never really heard it called that from anyone else. I suppose it was because all my recovery attempts had been in 12-Step programs where I was taught that crack was "just another drug" like alcohol and as such, I would have to treat it the same as any other mind altering substance. HA!!

I think that when a lot of people read or hear someone say that crack is EVIL, their first reaction is agreement, but possibly apprehension as well.

This apprehension may come from many different things, but I think when people hear the word EVIL, the first thing they think of is "The Devil." Many people do not feel comfortable relating drug use to something supernatural and there are those that do not have a spiritual background so this is alien to them.

Then there are those that say crack is just a "substance" so it can't be evil in and of itself.

Well, I know what I believe but my purpose in this writing is not to try and convert everyone into my way of thinking, but to show that crack cocaine truly is EVIL and this is true regardless of your spiritual beliefs.

The dictionary has a "plethora" of definitions for EVIL and believe it or not, SATAN is not even mentioned in the list of definitions until #14! Yes, there are 13 definitions for the word EVIL before the "Evil ONE" is even mentioned.

So lets take a look at the 13 definitions listed before satan is mentioned and see if we can agree that each of them defines crack cocaine shall we? Lets look at it from a "cause and effect" point of view.

1. Morally wrong or bad: (Yes) crack cocaine will make a person with high integrity lie, cheat, and steal to get more. It can cause the faithful spouse to be un-faithful, and destroy character in a matter of seconds.

2. Harmful, injurious: (Yes) Crack can cause respiratory failure, heart attacks, brain damage, lack of coordination, dehydration, severe weight loss and sleep deprivation.

3. characterized or accompanied by misfortune or suffering: (Yes) Doesn't this describe the "after effects" of crack to a T? Money gone, jobs lost, property lost, regret, paranoia, restlessness. etc..

4. due to actual or imputed bad conduct or character: (Yes) Bad conduct??? Can I get an AMEN?? Has anyone ever smoked crack and done something, anything good? For me, crack took my character and good conduct and turned me into the very definition of bad conduct. Should I paint a picture? Do you see where I am going with this one? Yes, its embarrassing to even recall how bad my conduct became after that first hit.

5. marked by anger, irritability: (Yes) Anger? What about when someone tried to stop you from going out?? Or those times when you got ripped off with a piece of soap? Irritability? Could you stay still for 10 seconds when high? I know I couldn't. Sleep was restless, coming down was restless and my attention span was non-existent.

6. that which is evil; evil quality, intention, or conduct: (Yes) I always hate it when the dictionary uses the actual word it is defining in the actual definition. But there is one word I want to focus on in this definition, "Intention" What are our intentions when we smoke crack? Just a few hits, maybe $20.00 worth and then I will stop? I just need it to feel better? Are our intentions ever NOBLE?

7. the force in nature that governs and gives rise to wickedness and sin: (Yes) Ahhhhh! Now we are getting closer to the "Satan" definition. What is this force? I love that a secular dictionary still defines it as "wicked!" In other words, something that is evil will take control of you and cause you to display wicked and sinful behavior. Can't be the devil though???

8.the wicked or immoral part of someone or something: (Yes) Wow! we are getting closer... IMMORAL?? That is the opposite of moral...and even non-believers will agree that anything that goes against the unwritten moral code of conduct is immoral...and as we mentioned before, crack will cause a person with high moral standards to behave immoral every time.

9. harm; mischief; misfortune: (Yes) Harm?? Duhhh ya, we have already mentioned that crack can and will harm the user and the ultimate cause from the effect of crack is DEATH! Mischief? can we all say "squirrel hunt?" Do we ever just walk up to the front of 7-11 and buy a rock in front of the general public? NO!! we go behind 7-11 in the shadows and hide from the helicopter overhead! Misfortune? This list could be a whole new post in itself...lets just suffice it to say, Misfortune and crack are like peas and carrots.

10. anything causing injury or harm: (Yes) This is kind of repetitive, but what about that word in the beginning? "ANYTHING!" that causes injury or harm....crack definitely falls into the "anything" category.

11. a harmful aspect, effect, or consequence: (Yes) Lets focus on the word "Consequence" Oh, how the consequences just seem to keep coming and coming and we feel they will never stop. There are no "positive" consequences to smoking crack....OK, maybe that 15 seconds of euphoria, but is that 15 seconds really worth all the negative consequences that follow? Everything from being broke to death.

12. a disease, as king's evil: (??) Wait!! did that say disease?? I guess it did, but this isn't implying that crack smoking is a disease.... Back in Medieval times, there were Kings that suffered from Hideous diseases, like Leprosy. The people believed that this disease was from an evil source and the King was being punished for his evil behavior. Crack, can give a person leprosy.... you don't believe me?? Go out on a binge, smoke an 8 ball or two, then try and get into bed with your spouse.... HA!! Yes, you have leprosy..

13. in an evil manner; badly: (Yes) Is crack bad?? When we use crack do we behave in a holy manner? The bible tells us "Be ye holy for I am holy" Can't do that on crack!

14. the evil one, the devil; Satan: Well, now we have that final definition and SATAN is said to be "evil" But even if we left the last one off...can we all AGREE that crack falls into the same category as all of the 13 definitions before?? And if so.....wouldn't it make crack EVIL??? (Yes) I would venture to say that crack is all of that and more so it most definitely IS EVIL!

If your still not convinced....lets look at some of the "synonyms" for the word EVIL....

black, spiteful, hateful, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, poisonous, spiteful, venomous, vicious, wicked, unchaste, unclean, uncleanly, bad odor, impure, unfavorable, offensive, plague,

So, we can argue that EVIL is morally wrong, Satan, and a force that makes us do wrong... but even if your beliefs do not allow for this...there is no escaping the fact that crack cocaine does most certainly fall into every single definition I listed above, therefore, it is EVIL....

Nothing Good can ever come from EVIL.... so continuing to smoke crack leaves us with nothing but despair and calamity.

Crack cocaine is EVIL.... believe it or not!

(Mike Johnson 2008)