He Pope Francisco doesn’t believe it drug legalization be a good strategy to reduce your consumption, an idea that takes into account “exquisite“because, in his opinion, with such a policy of openness”more is consumed“. He also condemned the “bad intentions and actions of drug traffickers.” “They are killers– he said.

” reduction of drug addiction This is not achieved through liberalization of consumption –this is fantasy– as has been proposed or already implemented in some countries. It is liberalized and consumed more,” the Pope said during a general audience held this morning in St. Peter’s Square.

In fact, the pontiff focused his thoughts on World Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking which is celebrated this Wednesday. “After hearing so many tragic stories about drug addicts and their families,” Francisco explained, “I am convinced that this is a moral duty. In the end To production and to traffic these dangerous substances. How many merchants of death there are, driven by the logic of power and money at any cost! This plague, which breeds violence and sows suffering and death, requires courage on the part of the entire society,” he said.

Francisco has remembered That words of Saint John Paul II: “Drugs impoverish any community in which they are present. “It destroys the will to live and contribute to a better society.”

In any case, he clarified that every addict “carries with him his own story that needs to be listened to, understood, loved and, to the extent possible, healed and cleansed.” “Every person continues to have, more than ever, the dignity of human beings who are children of God,” he said.

Regarding the drug dealers, he asked for prayer for the appeal of these “criminals” who give drugs to young people. “I tell drug dealers that reflect about the evil they do to so many young people and adults from all walks of life: God will hold them accountable for what they have done. human dignity “This way it can’t be trampled,” he said.

For Francisco, another priority way combat consumption and drug trafficking is preventionwhich is carried out “by promoting greater justice by educating young people in values ​​that build personal and public lifeaccompanying those in difficult situations and giving hope for the future.”

He thus praised the work of Gospel-inspired recovery communities, which is “a strong and encouraging testimony to the commitment of priests, ordained people and laity to putting into practice the parable of the Good Samaritan.”