Pope Francis has condemned the corruption and incompetence that trap many innocent people in drug addiction.
The "vast, powerful networks" behind the drug trade kill not only those who become slaves to drugs, he said, they also kill those "who want to destroy this slavery" - such as judges or others who seek to stamp out criminal organisations.
The Pope spoke last week to dozens of experts in medicine, science, the judicial system, government and social policy and pastoral care, who attended a special study session at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Those gathered discussed solutions to drug use and abuse, and the most effective forms of prevention.
