I read this editorial that talked about Mexico’s and the United States’ efforts to battle huge amounts of illegal drugs that make it into the hands of American consumers every year. More specifically, the author felt that the Bush administration’s proposed $1.4 billion aid package is not enough to confront the problem. He feels that if Washington was serious about stamping out the northward-flowing cocaine, heroin and other drugs, its campaign must first stop the money and weapons coming from the south. This is what is financing and arming the cartels. Likewise, the author feels that the problem of American’s use of illicit drugs is not taken seriously. Federal financing for drug prevention and treatment programs has been steadily declining since 2005. In my opinion, the narcotics wouldn’t even be getting here if the demand didn’t already exist. The National Drug Intelligence Center estimates that Andean cocaine coming to the United States jumped from 220 tons in 2000 to 380 tons in 2006. I am putting the proposed aid package itself aside for a second, as well as its prospective effectiveness for this problem. In my opinion, it is a big deal that Mexico is coming to the United States for help for the first time. It marks a great transition in the relationship between the two countries and Washington wants to respond to it.
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4 comments:
I think this is a really important topic, however, i dont think that we should really spend to help other coutries fight their battles of illegal drugs and such. It may be a big step that Mexico is asking the US for help, but think about it No matter how much effort, no matter how much money spent, no matter the laws made against it, people will always sell ILLEGAL drugs, people will always find a way to get them and find a way to get around the system..
its inevitable...
anyways<3goodarticle
<3claireeee
I agree that it is a big step for Mexico to be asking for our help, but I have to think that with our whole "let's shut down the border" bearing, our government might be hesitant to really actively seek to help Mexico with their drug problem.
As for the rehab programs that don't get enough funding, I think that a large number of these programs are not very successful or people just don't want to quit. In many cases, it's difficult to say that just by giving the rehab programs more money, people are going to quit heavy addictions. I really think that trying to stop the demand for the drugs is going to be a fruitless exercise.
I agree that it is an important step for Mexico to be asking for help with drug issues, but, for right now, drug use isn't a big issue for Americans. The War on Terror is our main issue and everything is revolving around that (especially right now at election time). Personally, I believe drug use is a major issue that just needs to be talked about more and the govt. needs to take better care of stopping the issue before it gets too out of hand (not like it isn't already out of hand :) ).
i cant really take this editorial seriously. all the things going on in our world and this person is concerned about illegal drugs and not putting a stop to them. what about putting a stop to terrorism? doesnt really matter how much money you spend in drug trafficing, dealers will always find a way to beat the system. where there is a will there is a way. and the dealers will always have more will than the govt because they have more to lose.
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