Agenzia Fides

Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) - The Episcopal Conference of Mexico (ECM) has rejected the request of some Latin American leaders to legalize the consumption of marijuana. "The fight against drugs must be a global effort, not a unilateral action. Therefore, if a country allows the use of a drug, many people from other countries will feel free to go to that country, and the State in question would not be able to face the serious health problems that would arise, "said His Exc Mgr.Carlos Aguiar Retes, Archbishop of Tlalnepantla and President of the ECM. Mgr.Retes, recently appointed President of the Latin American Episcopal Council (LAMEC) also added, the legalization of marijuana in Mexico now, would be inappropriate, as the government is committed to fighting drug-dealing.
During a press conference during the 91st plenary meeting of the ECM, the leading representative of the Catholic hierarchy praised the fight against drug-dealing initiated by President Felipe Calderón. In a message launched by ECM, the Bishops of the country expressed their concern over "rising criminal groups" and reaffirmed their support for the government to combat them. In these days The Global Commission on Drug Policy urged for the adoption of models of legalization and regulation of drug use ," especially marijuana ,in order to "eliminate the power of criminal organizations and provide security and safeguard people's health ". In a statement, the Commission stated that "the war against drugs has not reduced consumption, but has filled the prisons, costs millions of dollars, increased organized crime and caused thousands of deaths. " (AP) (Agenzia Fides 03/06/2011)