Pope Francis said that legalizing
drugs is not the way to combat addition during his weekly
general audience in the Vatican on Wednesday, which this week
fell on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit
Trafficking.
"Having known so many tragic stories of drug addicts and their
families, I am convinced that it is a moral duty to end the
production and trafficking of these dangerous substances," the
Argentine pontiff said.
"A reduction in drug addiction is not achieved by liberalizing
drug use, as has been proposed, or already implemented, in some
countries"
He described people involved in the drugs trade as "traffickers
of death" who are "driven by the logic of power and money at
any cost
"This scourge, which produces violence and sows suffering and
death, demands an act of courage from society as a whole," he
said.
Francis argued that drug abuse should be fought "through
prevention," saying this is done "by promoting greater justice,
educating young people in values that build personal and
community life, accompanying those in need, and giving hope for
the future."
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
