The Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of the Argentine Republic (ACIERA, a member of the World Evangelical Alliance) expressed its “deep shock” at the deaths caused by the doses of poisoned cocaine distributed in some parts of the Buenos Aires suburbs.

There are now 24 fatalities. In addition, another 23 people remain hospitalised and under observation.

The evangelical churches grouped in ACIERA expressed prayed for the “immediate recovery” of the people who remain hospitalised due to the consumption of poisoned cocaine.

“We pray to God for divine comfort in the hearts of the families of each of the victims. We also pray for the recovery of those who are hospitalised in serious condition”, says the statement released by ACIERA on Saturday.

While the investigation continues into the doses of adulterated drugs distributed in different parts of Buenos Aires, ACIERA warned that this case “is a signal of the danger and of the massive damage caused by drug use in the population".

“There is no doubt that drugs destroy and that drug trafficking kills without mercy”, the note from the largest group of evangelical churches in Argentina states.

ACIERA also urged the national authorities to promote “serious public policies” to combat drug trafficking in the country. “We hope that special attention will be given to a deep and comprehensive social work to provide a solution to this problem”, they said.

Christian work to support drug addicts

Finally, the evangelical organisation stressed the importance of preventing drug use, as well as the treatment of people with addiction problems. “The evangelical rehabilitation homes have the capacity to care for 3,000 inpatients in different parts of the country, 1,000 in day centres and as many in family groups. The recovery rate is over 30% and demonstrates the importance of caring for people and families in this situation as a society”, the statement said.

ACIERA's position is in addition to that expressed yesterday by the Argentine Episcopal Conference (CEA), which stated that the decriminalisation of substances “will only bring more consumption and marginalisation”.