Is Harm Reduction Enabling Drug Use or Saving Lives?

Harm reduction is intended to prevent death, drug overdose, and substance abuse. But is harm reduction enabling drug use? Or does harm reduction truly save lives? Harm reduction has evolved in the last 40 years. New York City just opened the first government-sanctioned supervised injection sites in the country. Debate over the effectiveness of these harm reduction centers is controversial. Maia Szalavitz remembers the first time she was introduced to harm reduction; a friendly woman advised her to clean her needles with bleach during the HIV/AIDS crisis. Instead of facing judgment for her drug use, she was told that her life was worth living regardless. Whereas other people feel that harm reduction is supporting risky behavior and enabling drug use. Here on the podcast, we will take a deep look into the harm reduction debate and discuss whether it’s possible to accept somebody as they are without enabling their harmful behavior.

Continue ReadingIs Harm Reduction Enabling Drug Use or Saving Lives?

Cultivating a Child’s Inner Compass

As parents, how can we help our children find and cultivate their inner compass? We often do a pretty good job of giving our kids an idea of what God and others expect from them. But nurturing an enduring love of things like truth, beauty and goodness and helping them engage their world from a deep sense of their true identity is the great challenge of parenting. How can we help our children become a beautiful expression of their spiritual natures? 

Continue ReadingCultivating a Child’s Inner Compass

The Principle of Love

Elder Don R. Clarke served as a General Authority from 2006 to 2015, first in the Second Quorum of the Seventy and as president and a counselor in the Central America Area, later in the First Quorum of the Seventy. He was assistant Executive Director in the Missionary Department and Area Assistant for the Utah North, Utah Salt Lake City, and Utah South Areas. He also served as Director of Church Hosting and currently serves as an emeritus General Authority and President of the Great Salt Lake Utah District (Correctional Facility). Elder Clarke earned an associate’s degree from Ricks College and a bachelor’s degree in business from Brigham Young University. He completed a master’s degree in business administration from Washington State University. His career included senior executive positions in several retailing companies. He also served as a volunteer professor of business at Southern Virginia University and was involved with Ascend Humanitarian Alliance in beginning microcredit operations in Bolivia. He has served the Church in various other capacities, including full-time missionary in the Argentina Mission, president of the Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission, stake president, high councilor, bishop, stake Young Men president, and elders quorum president. Born in Rexburg, Idaho, Elder Clarke married Mary Anne Jackson and they are the parents of six children. Highlights

Continue ReadingThe Principle of Love