In Brazil, Pope Weighs in on Drug Debate

Traveling this week in Brazil, Pope Francis delivered an unexpected broadside against the current push in the region by some governments to revise drug consumption laws. Visiting a drug rehabilitation center in Rio de Janeiro, the pontiff said, "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," which includes promoting greater justice and more education.

He went on to denounce powerful drug-trafficking syndicates as "merchants of death," adding, "The scourge of drug trafficking, that favors violence and sows the seeds of suffering and death, requires an act of courage from society as a whole."

The pope’s words are a devastating blow to the current campaign calling for a fundamental rethinking on how to prosecute the war on drugs in the Americas. Much to the chagrin of Barack Obama’s administration, that has become the primary issue many of the United States’ neighbors want to discuss in regional forums. And it is not just anti-American populists pushing the matter just to embarrass the United States, but responsible governments like Colombia and Guatemala.

In fact, just as Pope Francis spoke those words in Rio, Organization of American States Secretary-General José Miguel Insulza was traveling in neighboring Uruguay and Paraguay delivering copies of the organization’s recent report saying that governments should consider decriminalizing some drug use. The ostensible goal would be to make trafficking less lucrative and hence reduce incentives for drug-related violence.

Certainly no one can blame those frustrated governments whose societies have been most ravaged by the narcotics trade — the wanton violence, the pervasive corruption, the economic dislocations, and the destroyed lives — for seeking alternative solutions. But the pope’s words are a reminder that there are no easy solutions — no silver bullet — to eliminating the criminal element in our collective midst.

The Obama administration’s response to the regional effort is to say it is open to dialogue on the issue, which is really just a polite way of saying it has no plans to alter current counternarcotics policies. In Guatemala, Secretary of State John Kerry said, "These challenges simply defy any simple, one-shot Band-Aid [approach].… Drug abuse destroys lives, tears at communities of all of our countries."

The administration is right to hold the line on drug policy. It is not to be hardhearted about the domestic costs that countries have borne fighting the drug scourge. After all, they are paying the price to feed the recreational habits of consumers in wealthier societies such as the United States. But there is no compelling evidence that less restrictive policies would lessen drug-related violence or otherwise improve their respective situations in any way. In fact, what is certain to occur is a spike in local consumption, with all the attendant social ills and economic dislocations that would engender.

Countries must continue the admittedly challenging tasks of developing more-effective law enforcement capabilities, open and transparent court systems, and better prisons, while increasing economic opportunity and building strong social sectors. As Pope Francis alludes, regional governments have no choice but to continue tackling the tough reforms that are essential for their own future political stability, democratic consolidation, the general welfare, and national security.