The following is a gospel tract given out by our Youth Fellowship at a witness at the Ronan Keating concert in Newtownards on 30th September 2006.

One reason people take drugs is because of the 'hit' or 'buzz' they get. Drugs like E's, Tabs, Speed and Charlie are as much of the club culture as the strobe lights and dance music. These mind bending drugs create feelings of great joy which soon turn sour. They create artificial feelings of happiness. It is sad to think that this generation of clubbers are risking death, paranoia or psychological problems all because of their selfish desire for pleasure.

Perhaps you have taken drugs and enjoyed the 'buzz', or are still a user seeking endless pleasure at the clubs, beware - THE PLEASURES OF SIN LAST ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME. Endless pleasure is only an illusion. When the lights go down, the 'trip' is finished, and the thrill is gone, you will still be left craving for satisfaction. The lights of your life will go down, your 'trip' on earth will finish, the pleasures of sin will have ceased and you will have sold your soul, to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short while. It is the devils intention to have you so occupied with sinful pleasure, that you will not think about death or eternity. The reality is that we must all die. The ultimate question is - what then? Tell me, WHERE WILL YOUR SOUL SPEND ETERNITY?

THE RESULT

'Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.' (Galatians 6:7) The farmer who plants barley in his ground, will not come back at harvest time and reap a crop of potatoes. No! If you sow barley then you will reap barley. This is the unchanging law of the harvest - you reap what you sow. The devil wants to deceive you into believing that God won't punish your sin. That is why God through His written Word warns you, 'Be not deceived.'

THE WALKING DEAD

'Boils and abscesses plague the skin; gnawing pain racks the body. Nerves snap; vicious twitching develops. Imaginary and fantastic fears blight the mind, and sometimes complete insanity results. Often times, too, death comes - much too early in life... Such is the torment of being a drug addict, such is the plague of being one of the walking dead!' Quotation taken from US Supreme Court.

Young person, you need to stop and consider what God says. You may be determined to life recklessly, destroying your body and soul with alcohol or drugs, but be warned - THERE IS A TERRIBLE HARVEST. 'The wages of sin is death;' (Romans 6:23) The Bible here is referring to spiritual death - separation from God forever in Hell.

To many people Hell is a swearword, a joke, or simply the figment of ones imagination. God's Word teaches that Hell is - A place of sorrows, weeping, torments, outer darkness, unquenchable fire, and everlasting punishment. The pleasures of sin may cost you little financially, but your next 'trip' may end with you condemned to suffer in Hell forever.

THE ONLY REMEDY

The Lord Jesus Christ said: ' I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.' (John 10:10) The life that the Lord Jesus Christ offers you is a new life overflowing with pardon for sin, peace and everlasting joy. it is Life with a capital L.

Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.' (John 14:6) he promises, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.' (John 6:37) Again He has promised, 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' (1 John 1:9)

There is only one Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. The way of Salvation is to repent of your sin, trust in Christ as your personal Saviour, and openly confess him as such before the world. 'That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.' (Romans 10:9)