“Life,” the philosopher Soren Kierkegaard wrote, “can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”

Millions of Americans smoke marijuana or cigarettes, drink alcohol and use other addictive substances.

It seems drugs are here to stay.

Editors of the National Review, led by William F. Buckley Jr., wrote a statement entitled “The War on Drugs is Lost,” claiming that the time has come to abandon the concept of a “drug-free society.”

“We need to focus on learning to live with drugs in such a way that they do the least possible harm,” they wrote.

Neurologists have discovered that we were born to be happy, just as much as we were born to communicate, to love or to reason. The very physiology of the brain is designed for happiness ”“ which is why mood-changing drugs are so enticing. Addiction or disease of the brain sears the soul like a hot iron.

Substance abuse is mind-altering, and now, solid, scientific evidence showing what we can do to save and restore this all-important organ is emerging from the world’s most highly respected medical and research institutions.

Let’s review the facts about marijuana.

Marijuana is a mixture of dried-out leaves, stems, flowers and seeds of the hemp plant. It is usually green, brown or gray in color. Most users smoke marijuana in hand-rolled cigarettes called “joints,” or use pipes or bongs. Marijuana cigars, or blunts, are also popular. To make blunts, users slice open cigars, remove some of the tobacco, and mix the remainder with marijuana. Marijuana also is used to brew tea and sometimes is mixed into foods.

Marijuana can impair short-term memory, attention, judgment and other cognitive functions, as well as coordination and balance. It can also increase one’s heart rate and cause psychotic episodes, according to Drugabuse.gov.

Long-term effects of chronic abuse can lead to increased risk of chronic cough, bronchitis, schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals, and anxiety and depression, according to Drugabuse.gov.

The most effective weapon in the war on drugs is education, and for those who have already become addicted, treatment. Reaching young people with the truth about how drugs can negatively impact their lives is the key to keep them from starting such behaviors.

Alcohol and drug addiction is not a hopeless condition, however. It takes a lot of courage and commitment to quit drugs.

The nonprofit Our Father’s House Recovery Center, in care of Richard R. Martin, in Saco offers out-patient substance abuse counseling services for men and women who are 18 and older. The center gives addicts the opportunity to heal and become free from addiction. The caring, professional staff of licensed providers help clients become sober.

For information about Our Father’s House or to schedule a screening, call 571-4981 or email ourfathershouse@yahoo.com.

— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at zhadiaris@hotmail.com.