Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) - Half a million Argentine families have severe addictions and the abuse of alcohol has become the main problem and plague: this was stressed in the first report of the "Barometro del Narcotrafico y Adicciones en Argentina" which was presented by the Observatory of the Argentine Social Debt (ODSA) of the Catholic University of Argentina (UCA) (see Fides 18/05/2015). The Coordinator of ODSA, Agustin Salvia, spoke of an "unbearable situation" and considered the serious problem of addiction to psychoactive substances "a plague" or "an epidemic" which "ends up being detrimental to both the individual and for his family and social environment".
From the report, sent to Agenzia Fides, it is noted that drug addiction is a serious problem in 3.6 per cent of urban households in Argentina, corresponding to 459,966 people. The total population of Argentina is about 41 million inhabitants. The use of alcohol is the main scourge in households (2.7 percent), followed by drug addiction. These concern 1.9 per cent of urban households (242,759 cases). Associated dependence alcohol-drug affects more than one hundred and ten thousand people.
Agustin Salvia noted that drug abuse ends up creating an "unstable and often violent environment, especially for children who are influenced and affected by the behavior of parents and siblings. Therefore the behavior of one can affect others at home, especially children".
The Church in Argentina has repeatedly denounced the gravity of the situation (see Fides 28/03/2014). (CE) (Agenzia Fides 20/05/2015)
