Drugs

The Latest

Marijuana leaves.

Denver archbishop: Why I wrote a pastoral letter on marijuana

Dec 1, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

In a Nov. 28  interview, Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver explained what motivated him to write a pastoral letter on... Read more

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Catholics and pot: Denver archbishop speaks out against marijuana use, U.S. drug culture

Nov 10, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Archbishop Samuel Aquila’s new pastoral letter lays out the reasons for the Church’s teaching that drug use is immoral. Read more

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‘Cannabis Studies’ program at St. Joseph’s University a ‘scandal,’ theologian says

Mar 10, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

The Jesuit Catholic St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia is now offering four certificates in “cannabis studies.” Read more

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Marijuana legalization is on the ballot in five states. What should Catholics think?

Oct 11, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Catholic bishops in several of those states have urged voters to reject ballot measures that would legalize marijuana. Read more

Faith is key in overcoming drug addiction, say former drug users

Jun 30, 2021

By Harumi Suzuki

Young people from the San José Hogar de Cristo (Saint Joseph Home of Christ) in metropolitan Buenos Aires, Argentina highlighted... Read more

Oregon decriminalizes hard drugs, other states legalize medical, recreational marijuana

Nov 4, 2020

Voters in four states approved the legalization of recreational marijuana on Tuesday, while one state voted to legalize medical marijuana... Read more

Arizona pot proposal takes a hit with pushback from Catholic bishops

Sep 29, 2020

The Arizona bishops have registered their opposition to a ballot initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana use in the state,... Read more

Archbishop Eamon Martin.

Amid rise in gang violence, Irish archbishop calls for new temperance movement

Jul 9, 2019

An archbishop in Northern Ireland has called for the reigniting of a “temperance movement” to address the problem of alcohol... Read more

Ryan Prasad and Bob Buckham at St. Mary's. Courtesy of Ryan Prasad.

'I've encountered Him' - how one inmate lost everything and found Christ

Apr 18, 2019

By Kate Veik

Ryan Prasad desperately wanted to change his life.  Read more

Opioid overdose rates rising among African Americans

Feb 25, 2019

While much of the opioid crisis of the last two decades has been associated with white Americans and prescription drugs,... Read more

Illinois bishops blunt in joint statement on pot proposal

Feb 5, 2019

Citing “rampant” drug use in modern society and a commitment to the common good, the six Catholic bishops of Illinois... Read more

Suicide, drug overdose rates bring US life expectancy down

Dec 1, 2018

The suicide rate in the United States is at its highest in at least 50 years, and is contributing to... Read more

Passing opioid bill an important first step in addressing crisis, bishop says

Sep 23, 2018

The head of the U.S. bishops’ human development committee applauded the U.S. Senate for passing a bill responding to the... Read more

Death penalty for drug dealers? Catholic group responds to federal memo

Mar 22, 2018

The Trump administration’s call for increased use of the death penalty in drug-related crimes will not address the root causes... Read more

Donald Trump.

Trump declares opioid crisis a public health emergency

Oct 26, 2017

President Donald Trump on Thursday declared the U.S. opioid crisis a public health emergency, calling federal government agencies to focus... Read more

Prescription bottle.

Bishops preach hope, solidarity amidst opioid epidemic

Jul 12, 2017

By Matt Hadro

Amidst a growing epidemic of drug overdose and opioid addiction, Catholic bishops have been speaking out on the need for... Read more

Marijuana scores badly in 'entirely predictable' report

Apr 20, 2017

By Mary Farrow

A recent report shows that traffic deaths, crime, emergency room visits and youth usage of marijuana increased significantly in the... Read more

Priest relocated over threats from drug lords in Argentina

Mar 16, 2017

A diocese in Argentina has decided to transfer a priest after a series of threats he's received for protesting the... Read more

Surge in Vancouver drug deaths prompts Catholic response

Feb 20, 2017

After hundreds of lethal drug overdoses in British Columbia in the last year, the Archbishop of Vancouver has said Catholics... Read more

In Philippines, brutal drug war prompts Catholic outcry

Jan 25, 2017

Catholic leaders have spoken out against a drug war that has left thousands dead, and the Philippines' new president is... Read more