DUBLIN CONFERENCE: HOLY SEE SAYS NO TO LEGALIZATION OF DRUGS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 17, 2003 (VIS) - A Holy See delegation, led by Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, apostolic nuncio in Ireland, was present at the Ministerial Conference on "New Challenges for Drug Policy in Europe," which was held in Dublin October 16-17.

Archbishop Lazzarotto, in his address to the assembly, stated that "there is no doubt that the phenomenon of drug abuse is connected to a crisis of civilization and with great dejection. One of the most important factors leading to drug abuse is the lack of clear motivation, the absence of values, the conviction that life is not worth living."

"Faced with the many suggestions ... for resolving the problem," the nuncio said, "the Holy See does not agree with the proposal to legalize the circulation and distribution of drugs, not even so-called light drugs. ... The State must not assist its most vulnerable citizens to alienate themselves from society and ruin their lives. Rather, the Holy See encourages above all the promotion of preventive information and education, and the possibility of the proper treatment and reintegration into society of those who unfortunately fall prey to drug addiction."

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