Pope Francis calls drug traffickers 'murderers', criticises 'fanciful' liberalisation laws

Pope Francis has spoken out against the legalization of drugs and denounced traffickers as “murderers.”

During his weekly audience in St. Peter's Square, he devoted his entire catechism lesson to a reflection on drug abuse, calling for help and support for addicts.

He deviated from his usual reflection on a biblical theme to highlight countries that are successful in warning young people about the dangers of drug use and the “scandal” of trafficking.

June 26 has been designated World Drug Day by the United Nations, a program that aims to “strengthen action and cooperation to achieve a world free of drug addiction.”

“Reducing drug addiction is not done by liberalizing drug use – that is an illusion – as has been proposed, or already implemented, in some countries,” the pope said.

“It’s a fantasy. If you liberalize, they just consume more.

“I am convinced that ending the production and trafficking of these dangerous substances is a moral duty.

“But at the same time, let us not forget that every addict has a unique personal story and must be listened to, understood, loved and, wherever possible, healed and cleansed. »

He called for increased efforts to prevent and care for drug addicts, saying they deserve to have their human dignity respected.

Francis, 87, makes no distinction between so-called soft drugs like marijuana – which has been legalized for recreational use in several countries – and “hard” drugs like heroin and cocaine.

He denounced the traffickers as murderers and evil “death dealers,” corrupted by the lust for power and money, and called on them to repent and change their ways.

“We cannot ignore the bad intentions and actions of traffickers and drug traffickers. They are murderers,” Francis added.

Pope Francis, originally from Argentina, also condemned the “destructive impact” of drug production on the environment, saying it was “increasingly evident, for example, in the Amazon basin” in America Latin.

He spent years serving residents of Buenos Aires slums where “paco,” a cheap drug made from cocaine residue, ravaged the community.

The pontiff has long made visiting recovering drug addicts a priority when he travels abroad.

“We too are called to act, to stop in the face of situations of fragility and pain, to listen to the cry of loneliness and anguish, to bend down to raise up and bring back to life those who fall into drug slavery,” he said.