The Salvation Army encourages a healthy spiritual, emotional, mental and physical lifestyle. The misuse of many substances and drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, has the potential to harm the body, impair judgement and lead to addiction. Therefore, we actively support legislation and policy that encourage healthy lifestyles.

Guided by Christian faith and practice, we hold to the Bible’s wisdom regarding the destructive consequences of alcohol misuse. Scriptural principles also inform us about the misuse of other harmful substances. Salvation Army members (soldiers) make a covenant to abstain from alcohol, tobacco and the harmful use of other substances.

The Salvation Army is committed to excellence in working with individuals, families and communities whose health, relationships and social well-being have been damaged by misuse of and addiction to harmful substances. We place a high priority on education, treatment and counselling that offer spiritual, emotional, mental and physical healing for persons affected by addiction.

We believe that abstinence is the most certain way to avoid and overcome dependencies on harmful substances. Regardless of the choices people make, we are committed to loving and supporting individuals through to recovery.

We support Christian communities as places of fellowship, help and healing for all who face these challenges and we believe that by the grace of God people are freed from substance abuse to lead healthy lives.

The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2004

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