Drug policy is as fascinating a subject as foreign policy, and equally complex--perhaps more so because the hypocrisies and the real risks are generally not recognized by J6P.
These should be the parameters for the discussion:
1.- There are genuine health risks and therefore a strong government interest in preventing the distribution of addictive drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamines, and heroin.
2.- The health risks and therefore the governmental interest in soft drugs such as marijuana are lesser.
3.- There are genuine national security interests involved in the war on drugs that are primarily related to the enormous percentage the drug business constitutes of Mexico's GNP. Take away a large percentage of the drug business through an effective drug war and Mexico's political stability is threatened--not a good thing from an American perspective for any number of extremely important reasons. The same is true for a number of other countries. However, Mexico is by far the most important player because of the shared border and because the bulk of illegal drugs into the US flow through it.
4.- As a result of point no. 3, the US tolerates high-level corruption in Mexico and other countries despite a professed commitment to properly fighting the drug war. Instead, the US engages in fighting the lower echelon drug dealers and smaller distributors while ignoring the politicians who protect the big fish. The war does sometimes bag a big narco fish but, like any big fish, they are replaced by the latest minnow who wants to be a whale. The big narcos are fungible--this is an important point. So long as a distribution network is needed, they will exist.
5.- An effective drug war is one which would target the financial entities that assist in the laundering of the immense amounts of drug money involved in drug commerce.
6.- Do we want an effective drug war considering the national security issues at stake?
7.- It is my thesis that unless there is a massive change of attitude in the corrupt Mexican political elites made wealthy by the drug trade, you might as well forget an effective drug war.
In this regard, an important aspect of the Mexican political system needs to be recognized, i.e., that every six years a political earthquake takes place as a new President is installed. He brings with him cronies and supporters who have traditionally seen the six year period as an opportunity for the creation of capital via corruption. This fixture of Mexican political life needs to be changed in order of a successful drug war to take place. Any ideas on how to do it from the outside? I've got none. |
