II. Respect for the Dignity of Persons
Respect for health
2288 Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by
God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the
needs of others and the common good.
Concern for the health of its citizens requires that society help in
the attainment of living conditions that allow them to grow and reach
maturity: food and clothing, housing, health care, basic education,
employment, and social assistance.
2289 If morality requires respect for the life of the body, it does
not make it an absolute value. It rejects a neo-pagan notion that tends
to promote the cult of the body, to sacrifice everything for it's sake,
to idolize physical perfection and success at sports. By its selective
preference of the strong over the weak, such a conception can lead
to the perversion of human relationships.
2290 The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess:
the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave
guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and
others' safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.
2291 The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and
life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave
offense. Clandestine production of and trafficking in drugs are scandalous
practices. They constitute direct co-operation in evil, since they
encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law.
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