The City government is criticizing an initiative of the Kirchner administration to decriminalize the possession of drugs in Argentina, which could take place next week following a highly-anticipated ruling of the Supreme Court.

City Cabinet Chief Horacio Rodríguez Larreta said the decriminalization of small amounts of drugs is "a shame" and a "lack of responsibility."

The comments made by the City Cabinet Chief come as a reaction to remarks made by National Cabinet Chief Aníbal Fernández, who has backed policies to decriminalize users. According to Fernández, who formerly was Justice minister, the government should focus on drug traffickers instead of chasing users, who are normally punished for their addictions.

Aníbal Fernández participated in talks of an experts committee that supported the liberalization of drug use in a controversial statement released last year.
Reacting to those remarks, Rodríguez Larreta said, "whoever is in favour of decriminalizing drugs in this country is watching the wrong tv station, its a shame and a lack of responsibility."

He added that "even kids who are trying to recover from their addictions are begging the government to do something against drugs."

The City Cabinet Chief went on to say that "drugs are a social cancer, and the government and the judiciary have the duty to fight it."