Common Sense, part 1

http://thenews.com.mx/articulo/new-drug-policy-praised-10513

Most Mexicans are fed up with the "Drug War" started by Pres. Calderon when he took office 3 years ago (Mex. presidents serve 1 6-year term). Trying to fight all 3 major drug cartels at one time is incredibly ineffective. Mainly, the drug cartels are better armed and more prepared than the Mexican army, and although they hate each other, they will band together to fight this war. Attacking only one cartel at a time could work, bc the other cartels will basically help the army. Of course, not everyone likes that strategy... aligning itself with any cartel is generally a poor choice for governments. (Although, I have heard that each administration basically cuts a deal with a different cartel - this cartel basically gets federal immunity as long as they don't kill innocent civilians and also keep the other cartels in line. Sounds ridiculous, but it basically worked for 20 years.)

Anyway, the average Mexican - and I - think that the "drug war" is a problem that the U.S. can and should solve, but that the Mex. gov't is currently unable to solve.
problem #1: North Americans buy most of the drugs. If we stopped the demand, either by lowering our usage and/or making marijuana legal, then the prices would drop and fewer cartels would be profitable.
problem #2: All of the guns used by the drug cartels are legally purchased in Texas and then smuggled across the border by U.S. citizens, who are often allowed to cross back and forth without being searched. U.S. border patrol can't regulate firearms, bc that is a states' rights issue.
problem #3: Mexico does not have enough schools for children over 12. Less than half of all Mexicans attend jr. high, less than a quarter attend high school. These numbers are the worst in rural areas, where high unemployment makes the sacrifice of getting a high school education pretty worthless. This means that millions of Mexican young people have 2 options --> illegally cross into the U.S. to work or sign up with a drug cartel. The 'good guys' are the ones who cross into texas to wash dishes, bc at least their mama can go to bed without crying.
problem #4: The U.S. is training Mexican police - who are all corrupt - rather than investing in education or job training in Mexico or drug rehab programs in the U.S.

A new drug policy was announced today by Pres. Obama (see the link above). The new administration is going to make drug policy a public health issue, rather than a public safety issue. This should decrease drug use and drug demand in the U.S., which will help the drug war. This is common sense #1.

Until we get comprehensive immigration reform (common sense #2) and investment in Mexico's education system (common sense #3) the drug war will continue to rage.

BTW - just like on Law&Order, CSI, NCIS, and a dozen other U.S. shows, most everyone who is killed by drug violence is involved in illegal activity. A few innocent citizens can be caught in the crossfire, but this is less likely than dying in a car crash. I am perfectly safe in Mexico, and I encourage others to visit, especially central Mexico, where the drug cartels are a relatively small presence.