Pope Francis to Latin America: Just say no to decriminalization of drugs

GlobalPost
The World

Pope Francis has used his visit to Brazil to speak out strongly against the possibility of decriminalizing illegal drugs in Latin America, arguing that education is the answer to stopping the drug trade, not liberalizing government policies. 

"The scourge of drug trafficking, which favors violence and sows the seeds of suffering and death, requires of society as a whole an act of courage," said the pontiff as he visited a rehabilitation center in Rio de Janiero, according to Al Jazeera. 

"A reduction in the spread and influence of drug addiction will not be achieved by a liberalization of drug use, as is currently being proposed in various parts of Latin America," he said. 

More from GlobalPost: Mexico's drug war shifts gear, again

"It is necessary to tackle the problems which are at the root of drug abuse, promoting more justice, educating the youth with the values that live in society, standing by those who face hardship and giving them hope for the future," he added, according to the BBC. 

Pope Francis is in the middle of a week-long visit to Brazil for World Youth Day, a five-day international Catholic festival. 

Some Latin American political leaders have contemplated moving toward legalization as a way to stop the scourge of drug-trafficking violence, as some admit that the so-called "war on drugs" has been largely unsuccessful. 

In June, former Mexican president Vicente Fox publicly stated his support for the America state of Washington's decision to legalize marijuana. 

"This state of Washington has decided to lead a new path," Fox said, according to ABC News. "In Mexico we welcome this initiative because the cost of the war [against drug cartels] is becoming unbearable."

Sign up for our daily newsletter

Sign up for The Top of the World, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.