I just came back serving jury duty for three days. The case revolved around driving under the influence of alcohol.  But from the selection of the jury, and conversation with other people on the jury, I found out how extensive alcohol and illegal drugs are in this country.

Why is there such a demand for drugs and alcohol in this country? Without such demands, the criminals that sell and manufacture these drugs will have to find another revenue to gain profit. We know that their motives arise from greed at the expense of the people who are addicted to these drugs.

But who are these poor souls that are dependent on these drugs (including alcohol)? They appear to be from all of society, from the poor to the rich and from all races. Their dependency on these drugs cause suffering not only for themselves, but also other people like friends and family.

What do we find in common with all these dependent people?  We find the evil of self-love in their minds.  They want their own pleasure, even at the cost of hurting others. This type of joy is only temporary, and leads to more dependency to maintain the same level of pleasure. This path leads to suffering.

In the Tip of the Writing Brush and other sacred books, it is written that true joy results from helping others. It is not the mind that seeks joy for oneself that gains joy, but it is the mind that seeks joy for others that will eventually find everlasting happiness.  Seek to help and give joy to others, and you will find everlasting happiness that drug and alcohol will never be able to give.