When Princeton economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton tried to figure out what was causing a decline in life expectancy in the U.S. they stumbled upon a surprising discovery. It wasn’t typical diseases driving the trend but rather what they ended up calling “deaths of despair”— drug overdoses, suicide, and alcohol-related deaths. The problem was particularly bad in places like Appalachia where 50% of the excess mortality was attributed to deaths of despair.

In the face of such tragedy and suffering, I always ask, where is the church? The answer, I was grateful to find, is that they’re increasingly stepping up to help. “A growing network of churches … have started acknowledging the drug problem in their communities and responding like they think Jesus would: with an outstretched hand.” Read more: “With Eyes to See Addiction.”

While we’re on the topic, I want to encourage you to check out our resource on Substance Abuse. This resource is designed to equip pastors and leaders minister to friends, family, and members of the congregation who are dealing with addiction.