Mexico Surrenders Ground in the War on Drugs
By Dr. Barrett DukeWith Mexico’s decision to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, the war on drugs in the United States has been dealt a serious setback. We now have an entire country on our southern border that is a haven for drug abuse. Our southwestern states will suffer first from this tragic surrender as more drug-addicted people come across the border. Then the rest of the country will feel it as they move inland. Inspections at the border will become more difficult as well as more people attempt to cross into the country with their “legal” drug amounts. You can be sure that U.S. relations with Mexico are going to be more strained as a result of this decision.
Investor’s Business Daily has a superb editorial (Read Article Here) on why this surrender will not help Mexico defeat drug traffickers. They make five irrefutable arguments:
1. Consumption will increase.
2. Addiction will increase.
3. Treatment costs for addicts will increase.
4. Drug traffickers will profit.
5. The law-abiding population will be demoralized.
You can also expect Mexico’s decision to lead to increased calls for decriminalization of drugs in the U.S. This week, Denver’s marijuana policy review panel agreed to send a letter to the presiding judge of Denver County Court urging a $1 fine as penalty for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, Read Article Here. Such actions will be more common as our cities feel the added weight of Mexico’s drug problem spilling over the border. Earlier this year, I wrote an opinion piece on my opposition to decriminalization of marijuana. You can read it here, Read Article Here.
Reprinted with permission from The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission