One thing which is prominent in Latin America generally and Mexico in particular is the presence of drugs, drug cartels and drug crimes an example is the border city of Juarez
The last post has given a conceptual outlook of drugs, click on the link below to read
https://nokview.wordpress.com/2017/12/23/the-evidence-of-drugs-and-its-power-jollity-in-festive-seasons/
Today’s post is the evidence of drugs in Mexico. In relation to this post Drugs and Drugs cartel would looked at from the angle of how it affects development,. Using the above conceptualization of drugs, the drugs related to Mexico in the Medico-legal description is psychoactive substances with a range of illegal and quasi-legal drugs which are drugs whose sale, possession or use constitutes an offence. They include tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, volatile substances, and over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine, caffeine. opiates (painkillers, for example, opium, morphine, heroin, codeine, methadone, Demerol, Percodan), and in the European and Nordic perspective what is called the Hard drugs.
Mexico is and still continues to be a major exporters of this illegal drugs namely Cocaine, Heroin , Marijuana etc. it is important to note that transportation of drugs cannot be done without the knowledge and protection of top people in other countries. To this, USA the fighter of drugs is one of the major patronizers of both legal and illegal drugs, and she should deal with their internal demand and reduce the negativity attached to the term Drugs. [1]
Drugs and the practises of the Drug Cartels have led to killings, corruption, high crime rates but despite the challenges attach to drugs; drugs have played a role in aiding development in Mexico e.g. Chevas the drug Lord was protected by his community and even the government when he was sentenced to death. Some drugs cartel use the income available from drugs to build schools, provide jobs with good salary, medical clinics etc There have been fight to legalize drugs in Mexico, this has a link to the issue of the pervasive poverty, unemployment and economic inequality in Mexico.[2]
Povery, unemploynent and inequality has ravaged Mexico and thus led to some of the leaders of the ruling political party (PRI) and the illegal drug traders/ cartels to have business relations . Thus drugs is used as a source of profit , patronage and power which have created durable political, police and military infrastructure.3 for example the PRI and government officials due to corruption in disguise of poverty and debt elevation schemes have involved themselves with drug scandals, drug cartels an example of this was the former chief of police Rodolfo Leon Aragon and former Attorney General Mario Ruiz Massieu. 4
Additionally an uneven development and poverty have left unskilled, landless and improvised people in Mexico and drug business have in a way provided a source of livelihood for those working for the drug lords as cultivators, manufacturers, transporters, chemists, security guards, traders of drugs, communicators, banking industries a lot of people are on the cartels payroll. Drug profit have been available because of the support and protection of those in governance and because of the proximity of the United states which is one of the largest market for drugs both for consumption and importation. Where there is demand, there is supply and profit thus the huge profits have been used to pay debts, invested in transforming rural areas from illiterate towns to modern towns and ostentatious drugs-palace. 5
It is important to note that in recent times the government have been fighting against drugs.
In other words, the presence of drugs in Mexico is not a new phenomenon. Thus Mexico has and still is a country to be reckoned with when it comes to drug. She has been ravaged by drug wars which has led to loss of life, goods and property. Yet some drug cartels have been protected by their communities because of the idea that this drug lords provide job opportunities and quick money for people.
Reference
[1] United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 2003. Terminology and Information On Drugs. Prepared by The Laboratory And Scientific Section. Second edition. New York .United Nations.
[2] Redmond .H. The Political Economy of Mexico drug war. International Socialist Review. Issue 90.isrevew.or/issue/90/political-economy-mexico-drug-war retrieved 09/06/2017
3.O’Neil .S., 2009. The real war in Mexico: How democracy can defeat the drug cartels. Foreign Affairs, Vol. 88. No 4. July/August 65
4. Palmowski J. 2008. Dictionary of Contemporary World History .U.S: Oxford University press. p 452
5. McDonald J.H. 2005. The narcoeconomy and small town rural Mexico. Human organization vol 64. No2 117
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