AMERICA/ARGENTINA - Church denounces the fact that in some areas, drugs are “practically legalized” and authorities do nothing for these adolescents “with poison in their hands”

Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) – The pastoral team of priests working in the problematic sectors of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires have issued a statement denouncing the drugs that are “taking root” in these sectors of the city and that drugs are “practically legal,” as authorities no nothing for these adolescents with “poison in their hands.”
The team of priests strongly criticized the ministers and judges who have contributed to this decriminalization of substance abuse, saying that they are “unaware” of the situation of these neighborhoods and not placing concrete means for responding to the situation. “When statistics show us that there are too many children, young people, and adults 'smoking,' we can be sure that we have arrived late on the scene. The question is: do we want to continue arriving late? These are persons, human beings, who die or who are left with a broken life. That is why it is time to do something. Even if we only save one,” the priests said.
They explain that “life for these youth of our neighborhoods is becoming more and more difficult and they are the primary victims...Thousands are broken in their mind and spirit and are convinced that there are no possibilities for them in society.” Along with drugs, there is the phenomenon of delinquency, fights, violent deaths, all of which shows another form of trafficking taking place in the society: “the trafficking of arms, which we can see is getting out of control.” The primary victims in all this activity are the inhabitants themselves, who live amidst “inhumane circumstances that are taken advantage of by drug traffickers and distributors.”
In light of this situation, the priests and neighbors of these low-income neighborhoods feel called to “accompany the children and youth who living in this infernal world of drugs and call upon the conversion of those who do not respect their dignity, warning them that God will hold them accountable for their actions.”
They also offer a series of proposals, aware that “work must be done in prevention and long-term problem solving.” They propose “listening to our children and youth” and carrying out a support plan for families; giving meaning to life, especially through personal example; and taking advantage of areas that can be used to teach prevention, such as the school. “Education is a real form of promotion. That is why more schools are needed and greater funding for those located in low-income neighborhoods.” The priests also mentioned the importance of “adapting our programs and institutions to reality and not reality to them” and “taking into account the itinerary of each person in discerning what rehabilitation path to place them on.” Lastly, it is important to think of the rehabilitation path so as to avoid their falling back into drug abuse, helping them to truly integrate themselves into society. (RG)
(Agenzia Fides 6/4/2009)