Biblical Compassion in the Healing of Drug Addiction Among African Youth: Theological Reflections and Pastoral Responses

Drug addiction has emerged as one of the most critical threats to the physical, psychological, moral, and spiritual well-being of young people across Africa. Although governments, healthcare professionals, and civil society organizations continue to develop medical and policy-driven interventions, the transformative role of biblical compassion in promoting healing and sustainable recovery has received comparatively limited scholarly attention. This paper examines how the biblical understanding of compassion provides a robust theological framework for addressing the growing challenge of drug addiction among African youth. Drawing on biblical narratives, theological scholarship, and contemporary pastoral practice, the study explores how Christ-centred compassion can foster holistic healing, restore human dignity, and promote long-term recovery among young people affected by substance abuse. It argues that biblical compassion extends beyond expressions of sympathy to embrace practical acts of love, acceptance, forgiveness, accompaniment, and restoration that reflect the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. The paper further highlights the indispensable role of the Church as a community of care through pastoral counselling, mentoring, discipleship, family support, and faith-based rehabilitation initiatives. Adopting a qualitative theological approach, the study demonstrates that biblical compassion complements medical and psychosocial interventions by addressing the spiritual, relational, and ethical dimensions of addiction. It concludes that churches, theological institutions, families, governments, and development partners should collaborate in designing compassionate, faith-informed strategies that empower African youth to overcome addiction, rediscover purpose, and contribute meaningfully to society.