Puerto Rico defines substance abuse as a spiritual and social problem

"Faith-based drug treatment programs dominate the addiction treatment field in Puerto Rico, according to a brief article published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Helena Hansen of Yale University School of Medicine writes that addictions are a significant problem in Puerto Rico, which has been identified as the Caribbean epicenter of the illicit cocaine and heroin trade between Latin America and the US. A 1998 household-based survey of Puerto Rican adults aged 15 to 64 years found that 5.6 percent of the population was in need of substance abuse treatment....

"The Puerto Rican legislature voted to define drug dependence as a spiritual and social problem, which reflects the high prevalence of faith-based programs for addiction treatment. As of 1998, 75 percent of all state-registered drug treatment programs in Puerto Rico were faith-based programs. The convergence of faith-based initiatives and drug treatment facilities has a number of causes. Puerto Rico has high unemployment; much of the illicit drug trade, such as sex work, is related to economic pressures. Additionally, over the past few decades, evangelical Protestant churches have risen to prominence. One third of all Puerto Ricans identify themselves as Protestant....

"Puerto Rican faith-based treatment programs are largely founded by ex-addicts who mirror mainland US Christian treatment models. These ministries offer peer and pastoral counseling, prayer, and Bible study as methods toward recovery. One review of ongoing drug abuse studies evaluating the interaction of social support systems with drug addiction among Hispanics found that involvement with religious institutions had a significant impact on their drug-using behavior."

"Faith-based treatments for addiction dominate in Puerto Rico
(Treatment Modalities)"
The Brown University Digest of Addiction Theory and Application
Volume 23; lssue 10
October 2004

DANCE MINISTRY—RECOVERING AN ANCIENT FORM OF WORSHIP

"For some christians, dancing is their way to be spititual. They believe in the power of dance so much they have a name for what they do: dance ministry. One of the most popular dance ministry groups is Spirit Moves, a group of women who dance at churches and secular events. 'We minister to the churched and the un-churched,' said the group's leader Donna Ruggiero....

"Although dance ministry has become more well-known in recent years, some church officials still don't know what it is, she said.... lf people have questions about dance ministry, it may be because dance has an association in the United States. Mention dance and People often think of one thing: nightclubs. But in other cultures, dance is viewed as expressive and part of a cultural heritage. In many European and Asian countries dance isn't instantly associated with gyrating to a loud, pulsating beat.

"And now some people are beginning to explore how dance was used for one culture—the ancient lsraelites in the Bible. Dance is used as part of worship in several sections of the Bible ....

"The Rev. Fred Davis of Greater Shiloh Church talked about the importance of combining artistic expression and Christianity. He said he knew there were dancers and other artists in the area, but he wondered why they perform solely for entertainment. 'Why not take that talent and use it to praise the Lord?' he asked."

John A. Zukowski
"Dance ministry combines art form with spiritual inspiration"
The Express-Times (Easton, PA)
October 13, 2004

TEEN MAGAZINE INCLUDES SECTION ON RELIGION

"[A] teenage religion debate can be found on the pages of a magazine better known for explaining how to match lipstick to blush—not exploring the concept of a higher power.

"But under editor in chief Atoosa Rubenstein, the venerable girls' publication Seventeen has added a faith section that includes inspirational messages, personal stories of spiritual struggle, and testimonials on issues that include prayer and gay teenagers who attend church....

"Rubenstein said her goal is not to spread a religious messae, but to provide a forum for an issue she believes is important to this generation of girls.... Experts on religion and youth trends agree. They theorize that teenagers are rebelling against the broad, undefined spirituality of their baby-boomer parents and are seeking out environments—like those in church—with clearer rules that help them cope with day-to-day problems....

"A year ago [Rubenstein] took over at Seventeen with a mandate to revamp the publication .... For guidance [on the religion idea], she formed an interfaith advisory board .... The section debuted in the August issue. Reader response has been mostly favorable, Rubenstein said."

Rachel Zoll
"At Teen Magazine, Faith ls in Fashion"
Reprinted with permission from The Associated Press
September 4, 2004