THE CHURCH AND THE DRUG MENACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 230, 28 September 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE CHURCH AND THE DRUG MENACE.

One of the greatest evils in this era of murders, "hold-ups," outrages, speed .mania and extravagance is the drug habit (says the "Catholic Press.") Not a day passes without some discovery of opium or cocaine distribution. Youlig people a*e found speechless or comatose and unable to explain how. they were placed in that condition. The evil is so widely prevalent that the League of Nations recently tried to : destroy; it at the root, but national greed was too much for them. Certain natidns which profit by drug dealing were ready with platitudes, but could not be induced to act, China, which was once forced into war with Britain because s'he wished to destroy her opium plantations, has now passed a law absolutely prohibiting opiufn. In this connection it is well to recall what the Church has done to support the Chinese in this matter. In 1883, propaganda, while declaring that the medical use of opium was legitimate, laid, down the following principles, for the guidance of missionaries:—

. (1) The cultivation of the poppy was l)bt unlawful in itself;' but experience in China had shown the abuses it led to, and it had become unlawful; therefore, it was necessary to prohibit it as a general rule to Cliitetians. (2) The .taking of opium ■as practised hi China, by mastication, mixing in alcohol or smoking, is held detestable by the Church, aiid declared unlawful. (3) It can be allowed to - ■ none': except those whd have become addicted to it to such a degree that complete withdrawal woiild entail .serious harm. The medicinal use of bpium h lawful, provided it does not lead to abuse.'., Tiliese rules have been vigorously, thotigh pi'UdeHtly enforced by the ecclesiastical authorities, and the general practice i 3 to refuse the Sacraments t6 those who plant, *ell or smoke opium. The teaching of tlie Church in this matter has largely fulfilled, its purpose among Ohi'Mians, and its salutary effects are shown by the fact that in many districts the only fickle where Opium i» not grown belong to Catholics. On the other hand, among pagans the use of opitini lias shown every sign of increase within recent years. China has good reason to be grateful to the Catholic 'Ohureh.