Skip to comments.
Drug Control is a Catholic Moral Imperative
Vivificat - from Contemplation to Action ^
| 9 September, 2013
| Teófilo de Jesús (@vivificat)
Posted on 09/09/2013 1:05:35 PM PDT by Teófilo
Teófilo de Jesús
Brethren: Peace be with you.
Drug control and enforcement what some call prohibition is necessary to protect freedom and liberty where it is most vulnerable: at the level of the individual human being. Thus, the dual exercise of freedom and responsibility constitute defining characteristics of human beings as distinct from brute animals. The abuse of legal and illegal drugs destroys individual freedom and also a persons ability to with full consciousness of ones personal responsibility to live in harmony with others in society. Liberalizing drug controls and decreasing enforcement will lead to a culture of tolerance toward those who profit from drug production and distribution. Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis have spoken very eloquently about the dangers of drug trafficking and the undesirability of drug liberalization. Therefore, Catholics in position of responsibility should know that drug control and law enforcement constitute a legitimate and desirable exercise of governmental power to protect society, our culture, and pursue the common good.
The public consensus in the United States, at least during the last 40 years, has maintained that there are substances unfit for human consumption due to the dangers those substances present to ones body and mind. This public consensus also maintained that the rights of the majority to health and welfare trumped the rights of any minority of free, consenting adults to use or abuse narcotics for personal recreation. This historic consensus is now under attack and in a number of states has been shattered, as the drive to legalize marijuana for medicinal use demonstrates. That these popular movements seeking to decriminalize, legitimize, or legalize either medicinal or recreational narcotics use or both appeal to apple pie American values such as individual freedom and choice, is ironic, for narcotics use destroy freedom and responsibility at a personal level.
The True Meaning of Freedom
1731 Freedom is the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one's own responsibility. By free will one shapes one's own life. Human freedom is a force for growth and maturity in truth and goodness; it attains its perfection when directed toward God, our beatitude.
1732 As long as freedom has not bound itself definitively to its ultimate good which is God, there is the possibility of choosing between good and evil, and thus of growing in perfection or of failing and sinning. This freedom characterizes properly human acts. It is the basis of praise or blame, merit or reproach.
1733 The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just. The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to "the slavery of sin."
1734 Freedom makes man responsible for his acts to the extent that they are voluntary. Progress in virtue, knowledge of the good, and ascesis enhance the mastery of the will over its acts.
1738 Freedom is exercised in relationships between human beings. Every human person, created in the image of God, has the natural right to be recognized as a free and responsible being. All owe to each other this duty of respect. The right to the exercise of freedom, especially in moral and religious matters, is an inalienable requirement of the dignity of the human person. This right must be recognized and protected by civil authority within the limits of the common good and public order.
Therefore, according to Catholic anthropology, human beings, created in the image and likeness of God, are called to exercise their freedom toward the good and in respect to the freedom of others. In other words, being free carries with it the concomitant responsibility to choose what is good for oneself, for other persons, and for the community.
Drug abuse and dependency destroys individual freedom
Though closely related, the terms drug abuse and drug dependency represent two distinct phenomena that often, though not always, overlap. According to the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH; here and here), drug abuse is the use of illegal drugs, or the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for at least a year with negative consequences. Whereas drug dependence means that a person needs a drug to function normally. Abruptly stopping the drug leads to withdrawal symptoms, "drug addiction" is the compulsive use of a substance, despite its negative or dangerous effects. A person may have a physical dependence on a substance without having an addiction. For example, certain blood pressure medications do not cause addiction but they can cause physical dependence. Other drugs, such as cocaine, cause addiction without leading to physical dependence.
The NIH also describes the symptoms often connected with drug abuse, as follows:
Confusion
Continuing to use drugs even when health, work, or family are being harmed
Episodes of violence
Hostility when confronted about drug dependence
Lack of control over drug abuse - being unable to stop or reduce alcohol intake
Making excuses to use drugs
Missing work or school, or a decrease in performance
Need for daily or regular drug use to function
Neglecting to eat
Not caring for physical appearance
No longer taking part in activities because of drug abuse
Secretive behavior to hide drug use
Using drugs even when alone
The symptoms of drug abuse listed above can also define a persons loss of individual liberty, as he or she becomes slaves to substance abuse. No person can be truly free, morally or as a citizen of free country, when that person is a slave to a substance sold by others for profit. The drug addict becomes a slave, not only of his narcotic of choice, but the person who sells the narcotics to him. Thus slavery is disguised as good, that of individual liberty and freedom, overlooking the addicts inability to live responsibly towards himself and others.
The Popes Speak on the Evils of Drug Trafficking and Abuse
The [ilegal] drug commerce has turned into an authentic commerce of liberty, since it leads to a most terrible form of slavery while sowing your land with corruption and death. Therefore, it is urgent not only to protect young people from drug consumption, but also combat the [drug] is trafficking itself, since this traffic is a disreputable activity under any light. It is also urgent, at the same time, to discern the causes or deep roots of this phenomenon in order to define efficacious paths of action
We know well all the beauties of Mexico, but also this serious problem of drug trafficking and violence. It is certainly a great responsibility for the Catholic Church in a country that is 80 per cent Catholic. We must do our utmost to combat this evil that destroys humanity and our young people. I would say that the first step would be to proclaim God: God is the Judge, God who loves us but who loves us in order to draw us to goodness, to truth against evil.
Thus the Church has the great responsibility to educate consciences, to teach moral responsibility and to expose evil, to expose this idolatry of mammon that only enslaves people; and to expose the false promises, untruthfulness and cheating that are behind drugs. We can see that human beings are in need of the infinite. If God does not exist, infinity creates its own paradises, an appearance of infinitude that cannot but be false. This is why Gods presence and approachability are so important. It is a great responsibility before God the Judge who guides us, who attracts us to truth and to goodness, and in this sense the Church must expose evil, must make Gods goodness present, his truth present, the true infinity for which we thirst. This is the Churchs important duty, so together let us all increasingly try to do all we can.
Today, in this place where people struggle with drug addiction, I wish to embrace each and every one of you, who are the flesh of Christ, and to ask God to renew your journey, and also mine, with purpose and steadfast hope.
To embrace we all have to learn to embrace the one in need, as Saint Francis did. There are so many situations in Brazil, and throughout the world, that require attention, care and love, like the fight against chemical dependency. Often, instead, it is selfishness that prevails in our society. How many dealers of death there are that follow the logic of power and money at any cost! The scourge of drug-trafficking, that favours violence and sows the seeds of suffering and death, requires of society as a whole an act of courage. 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. Rather, it is necessary to confront the problems underlying the use of these drugs, by promoting greater justice, educating young people in the values that build up life in society, accompanying those in difficulty and giving them hope for the future. We all need to look upon one another with the loving eyes of Christ, and to learn to embrace those in need, in order to show our closeness, affection and love
(The highlighted part is mine)
The duty of Catholic citizens in the United States is to uphold drug control
The Framers of the Constitution of the United States described in its preamble a number of values to be protected by our government:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Preventing Drug abuse and punishing the shameless profiteering derived from the illicit traffic in illegal and legal drugs, are rightful activities of a representative government instituted to insure our domestic tranquility, defending our communities, promoting the peoples welfare, and securing the Blessings of Liberty.
Liberty, personal freedom, and the exercise of civic and moral responsibility can only take place within minds and bodies free from the compulsion created by the abuse of powerful drugs and illegal narcotics. It is hypocritical to defend an individuals right to poison his mind and destroying his will in the name of freedom, when drug abuse and dependence denies and destroys that very freedom. In fact, the first act of smoking a marijuana joint, snorting a cocaine line, injecting heroin, etc. is often the very last free action that person may do, for slavery will be his lot from then on.
In a Nation where publicly-funded health care is increasing, further liberalization of drug laws can lead to increasing numbers of drug abusers and dependents, taxing the system beyond its design whatever that might be. The cost of caring for the newly addicted might be greater than the costs blamed on drug prohibition.
Therefore, it is our responsibility as Catholics and as citizens of the United States, to resist ill-considered efforts at relaxing drug controls, and to apply scientific skepticism to any claim of the medical or social desirability to do away with laws controlling illegal or pharmaceutical drugs and favoring a laissez faire drug regime.
What is a stake if our personal freedom. No society is truly free when the members of such a society are slaves to chemicals, as Pope Francis put it. The first front in our fight for true individual freedom starts with the singular, individual person: with his or her ability to choose the good and to be responsible to self and others in the pursuit of the common good.
TOPICS: Catholic; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80, 81-89 next last
To: Teófilo
I worked on the front lines of the drug war for years, Ace. Your logic is faulty and you are on the same side of this issue as Chapo Guzman. It is the job of the church to combat the idiotic idea that drug use is okay. Government should stay out of it.
21
posted on
09/09/2013 2:01:41 PM PDT
by
Bertram3
(What difference, at this point, why yes I would like a fried pie.)
To: RginTN
I never see drug legalazation advocates mention how others are negatively by a druggie They know that it's true, but they don't want to acknowledge the fact, because they fear that it weakens their argument.
I understand that the legalization of narcotics will increase drug use, and the associated societal ills, but I also understand that legalization will eliminate the crime associated with the war on drugs.
It's a question of balance. And right now, I think that legalization will be better for society, overall, as the legalization of alcohol is preferable to prohibition.
22
posted on
09/09/2013 2:04:32 PM PDT
by
St_Thomas_Aquinas
(Isaiah 22:22, Matthew 16:19, Revelation 3:7)
To: Teófilo
This summer in Ohio was full of Catholic church festivals with beer tents, beer gardens, etc. Per usual, many people there thought little about moderation while they got blitzed on church property & with the church's official/unofficial blessing.
Just sayin'
23
posted on
09/09/2013 2:04:44 PM PDT
by
gdani
To: gdani
Seems every Ohio Catholic church has some sort of wine and cheese or ethnic festival every summer. Must be a big money maker. Like Bingo. Drinkin’ and gamblin’, lol.
24
posted on
09/09/2013 2:16:39 PM PDT
by
bonfire
To: Teófilo
Rolling a phatty and putting on my flame retardent under wear. Christians and drug warriors with fresh meat. Should be a good one
25
posted on
09/09/2013 2:32:05 PM PDT
by
bizdoc
(Oh yeah?)
To: Teófilo
All well and good, until people start imagining they see enumerated powers in scripture.
26
posted on
09/09/2013 2:39:44 PM PDT
by
tacticalogic
("Oh, bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
To: St_Thomas_Aquinas
It’s a question of balance. And right now, I think that legalization will be better for society, overall, as the legalization of alcohol is preferable to prohibition.
My idea of balance is the status quo.
Legalization of all illegal drugs will only encourage more.
I understand your point but think society will benefit by making illegal drug use a taboo that may land one in legal trouble.
27
posted on
09/09/2013 3:16:56 PM PDT
by
RginTN
To: Teófilo
What many people dont seem to understand is that outright legalization would not only mean that the traffickers down south would become legitimate businessmen, but that Big Pharma, Big Tobacco, and every beer and rum maker would also be free to produce and market their own safer brands.Not if cultivation of marijuana for personal use were legalized. The entire marijuana industry would be out of business.
*****************************
The cultivation, harvesting, and curing of marijuana cannot be compared to tobacco or alcohol. It is easier to grow than tomato plants and curing involves nothing more than allowing it to dry. It can even be used without drying--leaves plucked right off the plant.
28
posted on
09/09/2013 3:18:53 PM PDT
by
Jeff Chandler
(Don't blame me for McCain.)
To: RginTN
So do you support the Tenth Amendment?
29
posted on
09/09/2013 3:23:23 PM PDT
by
Ken H
(First rule of gun safety - have a gun)
To: Jeff Chandler
I’m for less government interference and control. No gun control, no plant control, no Federal taxes supporting public schools, no welfare, no tax subsidies, and on and on. Think of the days when our Founding Fathers were living. They would never have agreed with what is happening today. People are going to make mistakes. That’s a part of life.
30
posted on
09/09/2013 3:24:08 PM PDT
by
trisham
(Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
To: Bertram3; Teófilo
It is the job of the church to combat the idiotic idea that drug use is okay. I wish the Church would realize that the government cannot be relied upon to be either effective or benevolent in the areas of social justice. History has demonstrated that government does one of two things in these areas: stay out of people's business, or crush the human spirit.
31
posted on
09/09/2013 3:25:15 PM PDT
by
Jeff Chandler
(Don't blame me for McCain.)
To: trisham
Think of the days when our Founding Fathers were living.What they envisioned is the individual states deciding such things. If a state enacted oppressive laws, it's people could work to change the laws or move to a state more to their liking.
32
posted on
09/09/2013 3:27:18 PM PDT
by
Jeff Chandler
(Don't blame me for McCain.)
To: Jeff Chandler
I would much rather that than what we have now, but I also believe that there are some freedoms that are beyond even the control of state’s rights. Some are mentioned in the Constitution, but others are not.
33
posted on
09/09/2013 3:30:53 PM PDT
by
trisham
(Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
To: RginTN
Legalization of all illegal drugs will only encourage more.I don't advocate legalizing all drugs. I do think that prohibiting the cultivation of mj for personal use is not worthy of a nation born of liberty.
34
posted on
09/09/2013 3:32:18 PM PDT
by
Jeff Chandler
(Don't blame me for McCain.)
To: Jeff Chandler
As soon as its legal taxpayers will be funding it.
Always happens.
That is not worthy of a moral nation.
Libertarians are evil
35
posted on
09/09/2013 3:33:40 PM PDT
by
GeronL
"Is freedom anything else than the right to live as we wish?
Nothing else."
~Epictetus
36
posted on
09/09/2013 3:36:38 PM PDT
by
trisham
(Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
To: GeronL
As soon as its legal taxpayers will be funding it.They're funding it now.
37
posted on
09/09/2013 3:40:11 PM PDT
by
Jeff Chandler
(Don't blame me for McCain.)
To: Bertram3
The author was also on the front lines of the international drug war for years and still is. You might disagree with his conclusions but don’t kid yourself that your knowledge base or experience in the field trumps his.
To: Ken H
So do you support the Tenth Amendment?
Do you want to take care of druggies who can’t function in a job because of their drug addiction?
39
posted on
09/09/2013 3:47:02 PM PDT
by
RginTN
To: RginTN
I take it by your non-answer that you’re willing to piss on the Tenth Amendment so you can have your Drug War.
40
posted on
09/09/2013 3:55:04 PM PDT
by
Ken H
(First rule of gun safety - have a gun)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80, 81-89 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson