E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Alejandro Acosta / Reuters, file
A soldier guards boilers at an outdoor clandestine methamphetamine laboratory discovered in Chiquilistlan, Mexico, on December 7.
The number of methamphetamine “super labs” seized by Mexican authorities has rocketed in the last five years but shipments of the drug across the border have also continued to grow, according to government statistics.
The increase highlights how Mexico’s cartels have diversified beyond their traditional focus of exporting cocaine, heroin and marijuana by transforming their operations to also make methamphetamines on an industrial scale.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has noted “a sustained upward trend in Mexican methamphetamine availability in U.S. markets.” Research by the U.S. government also shows that methamphetamine prices are falling and that the purity level of seizures is rising.
According to information from Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense, 22 methamphetamine labs were seized in 2007. That number increased to 206 in 2011.
The vast majority of these were classed as super labs – in contrast to smaller operations that characterize much of the production in the United States, a secretariat official confirmed to msnbc.com. The official asked for anonymity for security reasons.
"Methamphetamine seizure rates inside the United States and along the U.S.-Mexico border have increased markedly since 2007," according to a U.S. Department of Justice report.
'In the business of making money'
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials said they could not comment specifically on statistics released by the Mexican government, but acknowledge that the cartels have adapted and changed since President Felipe Calderon declared his war on drugs in December 2006.
“There has been an evolution,” Special Agent Gary Boggs of the DEA’s Office of Diversion Control told msnbc.com. “All of these drug trafficking groups, they are not in the business of drugs, they are in the business of making money. So regardless of what the drug is, if there is a market for it they are going to try ways of making money out of it.”
Methamphetamine, a white, odorless and bitter crystalline powder, dissolves in water or alcohol and can be taken orally, snorted, injected or smoked. Known as meth, chalk, go-fast, zip, ice and crystal, among other names, it can be very addictive and lead to dramatic weight loss, dental problems, paranoia, hallucinations and extreme violence.
The methamphetamine trade is only part of the drug problem confronting Mexico – the country’s cartels also produce or traffic large amounts of cocaine, heroin and marijuana, among other narcotics. Since Calderon's war on drugs began, more than 47,500 people have been killed, according to the country's attorney general's office. The worsening violence and continued flow of drugs has caused many to question whether Mexico’s militarized approach is the right way to stamp out the cartels.
While most of the bloodshed in the war on drugs has been south of the border, the problem has had a direct impact on Americans. Mexico is the primary source of methamphetamines consumed in the U.S., according to the Department of Justice’s National Drug Threat Assessment 2011.
“Methamphetamine production in Mexico is robust and stable, as evidenced by recent law enforcement reporting, laboratory seizure data, an increasing flow from Mexico, and a sustained upward trend in Mexican methamphetamine availability in U.S. markets,” according to the study, which bases its conclusions on data running through September 2010. “Law enforcement and intelligence reporting, as well as seizure, price, and purity data, indicate that the availability of methamphetamine in general is increasing in every region of the (United States).”
According to the Department of Justice report, from July 2007 through September 2010, the price per pure gram of methamphetamine decreased 60.9 percent, from $270.10 to $105.49. Purity increased 114.1 percent, from 39 percent to 83 percent.
Booming business
After declining sharply in 2007, methamphetamine seizures along the Mexico-U.S. border have increased every year.
The dramatic growth in operations targeting Mexican methamphetamine super labs from 2007 and 2011 is likely the result of the huge increase in military involvement during Calderon’s war on drugs, said Octavio Rodriguez, coordinator of the Justice in Mexico Project at the University of San Diego’s Trans-Border Institute.
This jump in decommissions cannot be taken alone, however – falling prices also suggest that the trade in methamphetamines remains a booming business despite the enormous military deployment.
“My impression is that this data shows a much greater effectiveness on the part of the army,” Rodriguez told msnbc.com. “But what these numbers imply to me is that if lab seizures are growing and the price is falling is that the production is so high that it is not causing a serious impact. In other words, if seizures are not having a real effect on prices and the price continues to fall it means that the seizures aren’t even affecting the level of production.”
Since 2007, Mexican spending on security, which includes the army, navy, federal police and attorney general's office, has almost doubled to reach more than $46 billion.
The United States, the world’s largest consumer of illegal drugs, had spent around $1.4 billion since 2008 on the struggle against the cartels in Mexico and Central America as part of the so-called Merida Initiative. Meanwhile, U.S. border patrols costing the United States $3 billion per year have helped make the nearly 2,000-mile-long boundary as fortified as it has been in 160 years, according to a report by the Council of Foreign Relations.
But despite the billions spent and tens of thousands of lives lost, the organization thought to be controlling much of the methamphetamine trade as well as heroin and marijuana, the Sinaloa cartel, remains staggeringly powerful. In January, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, at the helm of the group believed to control the methamphetamine trade and the drug’s key ingredients, earned the title of “world’s most powerful drug trafficker” from the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Fugitive drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is believed to be a billionaire.
Guzman has also appeared on Forbes’ World’s Most Powerful People list since 2009, and is thought to be the world’s richest drug dealer, according to the magazine.
Key chemicals
Officials say key to stamping out the methamphetamine trade is interrupting the flow of chemicals needed to manufacture it, known as precursors.
China and India are the main countries involved in the trafficking of key precursor chemicals to Mexico, the DEA’s Boggs said
“We’ve … taken steps to work with our international partners to curb international chemical smuggling,” he added.
Despite efforts by officials on both sides of the border, the trade in methamphetamines and precursors is likely spreading south. According to The Associated Press, 1,600 tons of precursors were seized in Guatemala in 2011, up from 400 seized there in 2010.
In December alone, 675 tons of precursors destined for Guatemala were seized in Mexico. Most of it came from Shanghai, China, the AP reported. At $100 per gram for the finished product, that would end up producing hundreds of billions of dollars-worth of drugs.
Follow msnbc.com's F. Brinley Bruton on Twitter.
Leave a Comment:
Another example of exporting US jobs. The US used to be a world leader in underground meth labs!
And to add insult to injury, the raw materials are coming from India and China.
Now who can We blame for this I wonder?
WALMART.
Methamphetamine production in Mexico is robust and stable, as evidenced by recent law enforcement reporting, laboratory seizure data, an increasing flow from Mexico, and a sustained upward trend in Mexican methamphetamine availability in U.S. markets
And in Mexico you do not need to show an "ID" to buy any drugs in the pharmacies. You don't even need to have a prescription for anything. You only ask the pharmacist for something, and they will readily give it to you. Mexicans have done this all the time.
Isn't it interesting that MOST of the consumers are in this country, where EVERYTHING is prohibited? If they would lax the rules some, maybe people would also start loosing interest in abusing the products.
Also, in Mexico and in other countries people are not so paranoid about children drinking alcohol. Parents let their children "taste" beer and alcohol when they are teenagers.
Many of them are not interested in drinking or are moderate drinkers when they are adults. Those that will become drunks or drug addicts will do so with or without "authorization"from the State. The obstacles just make it more attractive for criminals to profit and create an illegal atmosphere, where drug dealers and crime thrive.
As to your statement about beer/alcohol in Mexico.
My Mexican friend explained why Mexican folks become alcoholics in the US. Beer is so expensive in Mexico they can't afford to be drunks. They come here where it's very cheap and drink every day.
Irespond- what you are purposing is preposterous. If we didn't have all the rules, regulations and government interference - we wouldn't need all the politicians... THEN where would we be?
Just saying
@Irespond: Iconcur
It is is getting so bad that the drug dealers are almost as corrupt as a congressmen.
I would think this would warrant death to the US, maybe now we can involve our military on the border..
Arizona Tumbleweed, your so-clled MExican friend is wrong. You could find out for yourself:
http://www.pintprice.com/region.php?/United_States/USD.htm
gumps; When this statement was made the wages for the same job were............
US= $500.00 wk
MEXICO= $25.00 wk
At $25, it's hard to feed your family and buy beer.
When countries like Afghanistan send death and destruction to America, we take the offensive. Why do we sit by and let Mexico send death and destruction, by drugs, to America, and just play defense?
IRESPOND-2315268
First of all, you are dead wrong and your ignorance tells me that you have never been to Mexico. I on the other hand live here now and have for more than 5 years. You cannot walk into a pharmacy and ask for drugs without a prescription. You must see a doctor first. Most famacias have doctors working for them, usually in the same building. They will examine you and, if the meds are needed, you will get your prescription. The exam and prescription costs about $5.
Next, most crystal meth is NOT made by Mexicans, or at least by the Cartels. They give permission for AMERICAN criminals to process it here because it IS easier to get the chemicals here. These people are American Biker gangs like the Mongols, Bandidos and Hells Angels. In the several years living in Southern Mexico, Veracruz to be exact, I have never even HEARD of a Mexican who uses it, and as a journalist, I actually talk to people about drugs and how they affect the Country.
Let me say this. In Mexico it is a MAJOR felony to possess a firearm. There is only one store in the entire nation that sells guns. Consequently the people are unable to defend themselves against the Cartels, most of whom are simple street thugs. The very idea that disarming the public will lessen crime is silly. Making guns illegal will NOT stop criminals from having guns.
There is one point you are correct about however. Mexicans are not so paranoid about alcohol, even with kids. But on a per capita basis, there are far less alcoholics in Mexico, less homelessness as well, than in the US. But Mexico does not have the same problems with things like serial killers and pedophiles that the US does either. Children do not go into the schools trying to kill each other and people do not poison Halloween candy. The US is the only place that you can find that crap.
I live in a city that is essentially under Martial Law. The entire police force was fired and the Mexican Marines are acting as police until they can be replaced. I am in the streets every single day, researching stories, and I have NEVER seen a Marine giving someone a hard time. They have crushed the Cartels here in this city and are doing and excellent job.
My friend, if you do not really understand Mexico, please do not make comments as if you do. 95% of the violence in this country is drug related and the same percentage of these drugs are flowing right into the US. Do away with these politicized drug laws in either the US or Mexico and the Cartels are out of business and the violence would slow to a trickle. Discount drug violence and Mexico has a FAR lower crime rate than the US. Think about THAT for a bit, then go check the statistics. I already have but if you do not believe me you can check yourself.
What I don't see here or discussed much anywhere is why do people want to use it? What are the people who use it getting out of it? Until this is addressed and dealt with I suppose meth labs will remain in operation.
Traffic Fanatic and Obey the Law, you are a pair of sick individuals!!! Sure, lets KILL the pot smokers. MURDER is ALWAYS the answer!!! Man, what the HELL is wrong with you guys? What if the government says that beer is now illegal? Gonna quit knocking back a cold one during the Superbowl? I hardly think so. We are legislating freaking TASTE, and you are suggesting freaking the MURDER of anyone who does not like YOUR flavor of drugs!!! Marijuana has been shown over and over to be LESS harmful than any alcohol, less unhealthy, and FAR less addictive. Yet redneck beer drinkers who get drunk, go home and nearly kill people on the road, get home and beat their wives and kids, they show up for work late the next day, are the strongest opponents of legalizing pot.
Go figure.
Build the fence and use our military. Carlo.............beer is legal and pot isn't. Just like some mexicans are legal and many are not. We need to support the LEGAL part of both subjects.
Reeeeally dull day on the boards..............Not one comment so far on why it is Obama's fault that we are not #1 in manufacturing!
I'm a pretty strong opponent and I never drink or beat my family members. Also, you responded to the wrong thread. Might want to lay off the hashish for a bit.
It is Joe Biden's fault...............asleep at the switch again.......
Carlo,
In this country, we also pay for the physician's exam and the prescription if needed is part of the charge. However, if one is insured there is usually a co-payment and the rest is billed to the insurance coverage. Any leftover costs are billed to the patient. How do you explain getting a physician's exam for $5? What are the cost of drugs like those required for blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. If the drug companies that supply those drugs in hte USA are also supplying drugs in Mexical, something is terribly wrong as far as the USA consumer is concerned.
Only your opinion as a jounrnalist's perspective is requested. No xtra political crap, please.
Your posts above were well written and on track. There is already enough crap being posted.
Thanks,
Just prepare yourselves for a another thirty years of this same pattern -- the lunatics running the govts in the USA and Mexico seem determined to repeat the same tactics over and over again. Trust me, the cartels are the number one opponents of legalizing marijuana followed a close second by the military/police industrial complex. What's that definition of insanity -- doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results. 47,000 dead in last few years and ZERO results. Sickening what the police/military industrial complex will sacrifice for money and power.
Time for a reverse boxer rebellion. I can't believe that China would facilitate a drug problem here in America. Perhaps they learned from the Brittish opium trade subterfuge before the boxer rebellion.
I have never seen a violent act by someone smoking pot. I have seen many, many violent acts by people who drink alcohol. This is over 69 years of seeing both! Pot is banned in the U.S. for many political reasons; one of the biggest is the Liquor Loby in Washington D.C.! Check out the below article, interesting read.
http://www.thc-ministry.net/untoldstory/hemp_5.html
They like the results if they didn't the drug war would be over.
That military/police/industrial "complex", man ... they just want to ruin everything... everybody just get high, dude.
We can't close the border and kick out the illegals because if we did, Obama would lose the election! His only hope of winning, is to keep the illegals on social healthcare and college programs to entice them over the border, then let them vote for him.
Legal citizens are sick of the bull@!$%#, and want Ron Paul as president, first to end all the BS propaganda wars overseas, then to end the miserable failure we call the "drug wars". Restore America now- Ron Paul 2012!
Prohibition doesn't work,
Not to be "picky", but do you ever post on subject? In this case the subject is about illegal drugs NOT politics. Give YOURSELF a break, the election is not till November, not tomorrow! Have a peaceful day!
If what you said is true where did the people come from that voted him in office when Bush II was still president? Do you think Bush II and the Republicans imported Mexicans to vote for Obama? Ron Paul will never be president because he is too disconnected with societal norms. Romney will never be president because he doesn't know, understand or connect with the middle lower class, just a byproduct of being super rich and not caring.
PS / You have to be a citizen to vote
Pragmatic-3918582
This is very true! We outsource our jobs, import our labor...and now, we outsource our recreational manufacturing, losing billions upon billions of currency circulation right here in the US. Currency circulation has a direct correlation to tax revenue intake. We are doing it alllll wrong!!
Wow, so many paralells to alcohol prohibition in the US. A war on your own population will do more harm than good. Hey Mexico, see how well our war on drugs is going? We keep locking people up and turning those who need medical or psychological treatment into criminals.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." -George Santayana
Irespond - Do you really want people able to legally use meth, and other drugs? Do you really think that will fix the problems that are incurred because of drug cartels and drug makers?
Typical lazy American response. The fight against drugs is tough, so we should stop. Please don't respond with marijuana should be legal. This is about every other drug out there that should be illegal.
let people buy psuedophedrine at walmart again, and this will stop. bring american jobs back. darn you Obama,and your congress of yes
un-regulated capitalism, is alive and well in Mexico; instead of small back room Meth labs, large facility's have been built , which produces a product three times more powerful and at half of the cost, which is entrepreneurship at it's best. In the U.S. , if you want to get uggest for a cold, you must go to the pahamist, he takes your name a dl# sends it to the DEA, your name is now in a data-base of suspected Meth dealers; China and India is selling the same ingredients to Mexico at one-fifth the cost; our war on drugs has only fuled the war on the Constitution.
people that can handle their drugs as a tool (any kind) should not be made criminals by those idiots that cannot...It's like any other thing in this world that we can no longer do. dumb inconsiderate people always ruin everything. I can't take my dog to the park or the beach because it's illegal because ..why , dumb inconsiderate people. The first lady has to step in and say what schools can have for food..why because of dumb inconsiderate people teaching their kids NOTHING of value. I can go and go but instead I gotta go to work. gotta pay for daughters college, she is hwp and smart. eats good and is very considerate, thank goodness.I'M TIRED OF DUMMIES RUINING THINGS FOR ALL OF US. btw greed is a far worse drug many politicians are addicted to . lets do something about THEM!
What is funny, is that Americans are being outclassed by the rest of the world when it comes to capitalism. We are quickly becoming socialists, while the meek slowly inherit the earth....through the wonderful art of capitalism! Beat by our game!
"The United States, the world’s largest consumer of illegal drugs"
We must be one sick nation.
Like the rest of the world the folks south of the border look to the U.S. and see a giant money tree ripe for the picking. As for the dope, there would be no drug trade without customers willing to pay the price for a little synthetic happiness. The only way to end the illegal drug trade is to stop the demand for the dope......good luck with that! BTW the Mexicans did not not invent the meth lab, they simply observed Americans getting rich cooking home made dope and hey we can do that too! (From the looks of the photo they're pretty good at what they do!)
Most would agree that the walls of a high security Federal prison are considered much more secure than the border yet there are all kinds of illegal drugs making their way into the system, where there's a buck there's a way!
While I do not profess to have all the answers other than a little personal responsibility, and abstinence, I do not thinks we as a nation should throw caution to the wind concerning the legalization of dope, prostitution, etc. To do so would condone spreading a cancer that eats at the very heart and soul of our country and invites the cost of more big government. Danged if you do......danged if you don't!
Correcting the problems at hand starts in the home, there is little hope for change unless it takes place on a personal level, we can not legislate good behavior.
that pic reminded me of an episode of "Moonshiners"
Seriously! What happened to good ol fashion American drug making? What happens if we go to war with Mexico? The drug pushers pull an OPEC on us and America self destructs from everyone going through withdrawl at once!
i guess it is better to have a lowlife mexican billionaire that kills people buying italian yachts and cars than to have some old toothless countryfolk making a few thousand a week . to spend at walmart. right?
The US needs to cut out the cancer that is Mexico...let the people suffer until they realize that they need to get some patiotism and take their country back and make something of it (opther then a cesspool that it is)
I think we need to send a Seal Team down there for a little training or let the Mafia do it and then give them a tax break.
While US military is wasting money and lives on stupid wars in faraway lands, the US border is porous like Gilligan's shorts.
Why the violence. Just make it legal. Put a skull and cross bones on the label and tell your kids the truth about what it does. Reefer Madness was a counterproductive lie because when you lie, you destroy confidence. Look at all the trouble illegal drugs are causing, all around the world; is it worth it? Made in America would keep the billions at home and stop the corruption, violence and wars.
US is NOT interested in stopping the drug war, it creates jobs and that's all they care about. US is looking for MORE conflicts NOT less. All these wars (drug, Iraq, Afghanistan and soon Iran) are for our military complex to get even bigger. Our government wants us to be drugged up and stupid, they just want us to go work, pay our taxes, and don't ask questions.
Once upon a time a lofty oak stood high above the forest floor,
towering above all the other trees in the land. A small vine struggling to get
a little sunlight cried "Oh mighty oak tree, "may I climb your trunk and rest in the sun"? "You are so big and strong and it's hard for me to survive in the shade!" The old oak obliged as there was plenty of space on his mighty trunk.
Time passed and soon the trunk of the tree was covered as
the vine flourished in the sun under the safety of the mighty oak. One day the
vine said "Oh mighty oak there is no longer enough room for me on your trunk
alone, may I climb upward to rest on top of one of your branches?" Again the
oak agreed to support the vine. Years passed and soon the loft oak struggled to
get any sunlight as it was now fully covered with the thriving vine. "Mr. Vine,
you must let me have a little sun as my roots grow weary and I will soon die
without the sunshine." said the oak. Unfortunately for the old oak the vine was
out of control and did not heed the warning of the tree.
The old oak died, and while his skeleton stood for a while eventually his branches started to rot and
fall to the ground. Finally one day, a mighty wind came and down went the
trunk, vine, and all back to the forest floor where it all began. As time
passed the vine rose above the clutter of the forest floor and observed another
mighty oak in the distance…………………………..
Looks like Walt has Los Pollos Hermanos up and running again.
IRESPOND-2315268
This is one drug you do NOT want to legalize. I have watched first hand how this drug destroys people's lives. Meth is scary. One time using, one time, is all it takes to get somebody hooked. Getting off this drug is next to impossibe. It has one of the lowest rates of success staying off. Tax it you might think, legalize it, what the heck! This crap rots your teeth, it literally rots the brain, causes enlarging of the heart just to mention a few. The extra medical cost in the long run will far exceed the tax benefits you would receive now (this crap is a slow killer). These are a few of the physical issues, shall we go into the psychological? Next time. You talk about how great things are in Mexico? Been there lately? I would not want to live in any of the border states.
Wagonmaster- Drugs are so expensive in the US because our government allows the pharmacies to mark them up 1,000% and higher. They are allowed to do this because they give the government plenty of money. Maybe THAT is why medication is much more affordable in Mexico...
The cartel's mission is not making drugs, it's making MONEY.!!
Where is the all this money.??
JK, how about taking a little personal responsibility for your own actions.
Most people have the strength of character to NOT use drugs, and NOT develop addictions.
Nobody FORCES the American addict to use meth. Grow up.
Seem to me it's the customer that is creating the market and problems.
The first four comments on this piece, comments from "pragmatic" "will", "Rick" and "Tiago" BR", are amonmg rhe most juvenile comments I have ever read on any topic on Newsvine. What's worse, they received an inordinate number of votes.
Drugs pour in from Mexico, destroy lives, ruin families, kill people - and they take light of that!
These people are good reason why a responsible news community should take seriously the idea of censuring blogs.
They got my "inflammatory" vote!
I'm not defending the manufacturing of meth or the muling of drugs into the US--but, the industrialists moved the factories to Mexico with NAFTA. Under the rules of NAFTA that Mexico signed on to, wages rose. When that happened, the industrialists moved the jobs to China, where there were to "freed trade" rules with built in wage increases.
When you drove thru Mexico in 2000-2002, around Monterrey, everyone drove a new GM, Ford, or Chrysler product and there were US eateries abound. Now---nothing.
Just as the industries did in the US, a generation learned how to work on an assembly line and made a living wage. Now--not so. They try to enter this country in search a way to earn a living to feed their families and they're not wanted. With no futures, what did you expect people to do? Our silly "war on drugs" exasperates the problem.
Illegal drugs should be classified for what they are, "weapons of mass destruction", and the US should act accordingly.
Yea, make them ourselves...and export them.
"Illegal drugs?" How about the endless prescriptions written by doctors in the US that are highly addictive? You can't smoke marijuana, but you can have Vicodin and other opium derivatives. PHARMA is always dealing drugs and giving incentives to MD's to peddle them.
Joeybagofdonuts
Irespond - Do you really want people able to legally use meth, and other drugs? Do you really think that will fix the problems that are incurred because of drug cartels and drug makers?
Typical lazy American response. The fight against drugs is tough, so we should stop. Please don't respond with marijuana should be legal. This is about every other drug out there that should be illegal.
Why not? They use it illegally, making it illegal didn't stop use.
The fight against drugs is useless, all it does is keep people in government jobs, hell out intelligence gathering agency might be up to their old tricks again, throwing billions of american tax dollars hasn't done a hell of a lot to stop drug use.
With all the assets the US has if they didn't want drugs crossing the border, drugs wouldn't cross the border.
Here's a thought: If we are engaged in a "war on drugs" like we are engaged in a "war on terror" why don't we use the same tactics for both? In the war on drugs, for instance, we could invade a foreign sovereign country like Mexico and/or use drones to blow up the super meth labs. We cold be nice to the people who work there and tell them that on day certain, but with very short notice (like less than one day), the lab would be blown. Of course, this would require us having a puppet government in place, to cooperate, but then complain about our abusing their sovereignty. We could send in the SEALS to get the kingpin guys. We could carpet-bomb the Mexican side of the border, or lay down land mines, etc. Really, is our government serious about this "war on drugs" or are they just fooling around with "talking points"?
@ Charles the hammerhead, great analogy. Unfortunately unless a history major or a retired Marine like myself, most people have no clue about the Boxer Rebellion. Like I said though great analogy!
@ Carlo who wrote:
My friend, if you do not really understand Mexico, please do not make comments as if you do. 95% of the violence in this country is drug related and the same percentage of these drugs are flowing right into the US.
Once you have lived in Mexico for more than 5 years, you will then learn that Mexico is a very different country. You are generalizing as if you were talking about the US. That shows YOUR ignorance.
Every town in Mexico is very different from the other, and every pharmacy is very different from the others. Those "chain" pharmacies that you are talking about are the only ones that require prescription. Many peoeple don't like them because they are crooks.
You sound as a pmpous A***, dismissing what other people know, as if you were the only one who has traveled there.
Besides, I never say that Mexico was violent. Read the comment before you rant.
The first 4 posts are awesome and hilarious!
Regarding the rest:
Supply, and DEMAND
Don't go blaming Mexico for you, your children, or your neighbor's inability to leave their vices at things that don't illicit a massive crime industry. If you want to shut the border, I'll start listening when sentences start tripling for illegal drug use.
Since I know nobody here is willing to have that happen, then really, stop blaming Mexico. Its a US problem as much as it is there.
I just served on this term of the grand jury of all the cases we heard I'd say almost 1/2 was marijuana cases. possesion with intent to distribute & manufacturing (growing) marijuana. Down here in so. ga. it's grow houses. They're finding them right & left here. there must be good money in it. I think it's time to legalize it. They would save so much money just by not putting all these people in prison. That meth is another thing. you wouldn't believe the things they put in that stuff.
That is not true. Also making it illegal makes it much more dangerous at least if it were legal there would hopefully be quality control and more understanding about why people want to use it. Why do they want to use?It is not an invalid question.
The things they put in meth wouldn't ever make it past the FDA for animal consumption, much less human.
Are you kidding me with all the drugs the FDA approves of that have death as a known side effect oh please.
The reason the drug is so dirty is because it is made illegally. The war against drugs has failed. Lets try a legal market. Just an idea, since the other is not working.
Lisafrequency, I doubt the FDA would approve muriatic acid (concrete acid) as an approved ingredient.
Joey bag of donuts, you said:
Yes. Absolutely and certainly. If drugs are legal, then the cartel will make no profit from the manufacture and sale of them. Prohibition creates cartels, the repeal of it will end them. Everyone knows this, but the religious right refuses to admit it, even though they know it too.
The only thing our current policy accomplishes is ever soaring addiction rates, and places the the drugs outside the law where we have NO control.
Bring them back into the scope of law, where we can control the manufacturing process,(quality standards save lives), and control the sale, (the corner dealer will sell to anyone with cash, including children, and they often target kids, Hook them early and you have a customer for life.)
No. Typical intelligent Non-Religious/Non-politically motivated response. The fight against drugs is not hard, it is A COMPLETE FAILURE, and has absolute ZERO potential to ever succeed, in any way shape of form, so we should stop, and move on to something that might actually work.
In any other war, after just 10 years of SUCCESS the people scream it is time to end the war, but in this, after SEVENTY (that's 70) YEARS of complete and utter failure, you want to continue???? It took less than 20 years for our ancestors to realize that prohibition was stupid, senseless, and had the OPPOSITE of the intended effect, why has it taken 70 years, and some of you still have not figured it out?
How many more people have to die, and how many billions more must be spent on housing and feeding and clothing drug users in the prison system, while allowing hardened criminals to walk the streets because the prisons are over populated, before you understand that you have failed??
Lisafrequency:
You are quite mistaken. Pharmaceutical grade methamphetamines have already been approved by the FDA, and are commercially available now, and have been for many many years, under such names as Ritalin, and Adderol just to name two of them. There are many more.
The street Meth/ Bathtub Crank that is killing people exists because it is illegal, so there is no control over the manufacturing process.
Wagonmaster-3487481 -yes, the information given is correct. Pharmaceutical meds are 75-80% less in mexico. I travel for work and have worked in mexico alot and have seen that this is very true. You can get an exam and script for less than $20.
Yea I do know that but they do have some very serious side effects in case you have not noticed. I think you ought to go back and read again what I wrote and who I quoted.
Lisa,
Quite so, my comment should have been directed to the poster above you,STC1993.
My apologies.
apology accepted
Carlo, why is it you think MJ is less dangerous than alcohol, yet you don't consider all the innocent people in Mexico that are being killed EVERY DAY, caught in the crossfire. Think about that when you smoke your next joint.
hey, the average american does not buy blood marijuana from mexicans. marijuana is america's top earning cash crop, making more than corn and wheat combined annually...so you are mistaken in assuming that the average american pothead buys mexican @!$%#:
Marijuana Called Top U.S. Cash Crop
(ABC news)
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=2735017&page=1#.Tvzt19VqSlY
Bill, you said,
True, except you omit the small detail that Marijuana is not the problem, but our outdated, ineffective, and unconstitutional drug laws create that crossfire.
If it was legal, there would be no need for Cartels to supply it, there would be no crossfire, and no innocent people would be caught up in that crossfire, because it would not exist.
But hey, why not continue allowing the Church to erode our freedoms and liberties, and continue allowing the church to murder innocent people in Mexico, in the name of Christian values, until we are all forced to attend the church of your choosing, everyday of the week, and every "sin" is punishable by death.
That is the true goal of The Christian Taliban, They would love nothing more than to enforce the Christian version of Sharia Law.
And every single death in the failed and miserably lost "War on Drugs" is on the hands of every Christian in this Nation that insists on forcing their beliefs on the rest of us.
What I would not give to be a fly on the wall at the Day of Judgement, When God says to all of you, "Why did you insist on forcing your nonsense on everyone else, and why did you allow all of these people to be murdered, in the name of your political and religious agenda?"
I can count on two hands the number of "Christians" in this country that will ever see the inside of their promised land.
But Mexicans live like KINGS on the American wages that they spend in Mexico.
Another reason the border should be secured. But as long as those in office continue to live the "American Dream", nothing will be done!
I'm with you. Secure the damned border!
SI
They ARE securing the border.
When Bush was in office in 1994 there were 11,000 CBP (customs & Border Protection)officers at the border and he committed 564 National Guard troops. Under President Obama the number of CBP agents has grown to 18,000+ and the National Guard troop deployment has increased to 1200, their efforts now augmented by the deployment of several unmanned Predator drones.
Homeland Security is using Nogales, AZ to test a surveillance system that will continuously monitor 4 square miles or provide scanning monitoring for up to ten square miles. The technology also includes retina scanners that are reportedly accurate up to 50 feet away with the person being scanned running. Its called 'Wide Area Surveillance System'. Plans are also underway to fit the system to those Predator drones and test-fly that over Nogales, AZ.
They are planning to roll out the WASS nationwide in areas that are usually considered hot spots; they would be particularly useful along the border, to monitor communes and cult encampments in hard-to reach places like mountains, search canyons and ravines and snowy mountainsides for victims of avalanches and other disasters. The infrared scanning can see certain types of building materials, giving the government a clear picture of who is inside a house, how many, and what these people are doing inside. They'll be able to see who's cooking meth or growing pot in the garage, for example, who is brewing homemade moonshine in the woods behind the house, see who is breaking into someone's house, see a child molester molesting a child, heck, they'll be able to see you sitting on the toilet!
Also currently being tested are portable DNA scanners. Meant to be utilized at airports and border towns, it'll require that the person being tested open their mouth for an inside-the-cheek swab which will then be placed in a portable DNA analyzer and return results. Most of the initial results will be enrollment results but if the DNA submitted happens to be a match or partial match for someone on DHS's database who is, for instance, currently detained at Guantanamo Bay or currently detained as an illegal immigrant, that person can be detained as well. This is primarily for use on children coming through with parents/guardians, DNA analyzers will make sure the child is related to the guardian/parent and is not being smuggled or trafficked into the US.
Portable DNA scanners are being tested at a border stop for illegals in McAllen, TX; those who are stopped are required to give a DNA sample before being released back over the border. The results are stored in a database so if anyone else attempts to cross the border who has kinship or matching DNA, even if they have a legal visa, they too can be apprehended and turned away just because their relative tried to sneak in. No member of that family who has kinship DNS will ever be allowed to enter the US again, not even for legal visits. Tentative plans are to put a DNA station in each border towm, to require that all legal residents and even out of town visitors show proof of their legality and then submit a DNA sample which will then be stored in a database so that DNA samples from illegals can be identified and any other relatives they have can be stopped. If they find a relative elsewhere in the country, a second cousin in Minnesota, then of course that person is an illegal and can then be deported too. The papers they have don't mean anything. If an illegal is stopped at the border who is related to you, then all of you have to go.
It will also get used at airports; in addition to the regular TSA screening, you'll be required to give DNA before getting on the plane, and so will your wife and child. This will actually be a good thing; if the plane crashes while you're on it, they'll be able to match the DNA of your remains to the preflight DNA screening with no guessing required.
Also currently being tested are portable DNA scanners. Meant to be utilized at airports and border towns, it'll require that the person being tested open their mouth for an inside-the-cheek swab which will then be placed in a portable DNA analyzer and return results. Most of the initial results will be enrollment results but if the DNA submitted happens to be a match or partial match for someone on DHS's database who is, for instance, currently detained at Guantanamo Bay or currently detained as an illegal immigrant, that person can be detained as well. This is primarily for use on children coming through with parents/guardians, DNA analyzers will make sure the child is related to the guardian/parent and is not being smuggled or trafficked into the US.
Right... Because the drugs come from Mexico and are consumed by Illegal Mexican Immigrants.
Americans don't do drugs... We are just Victims here.
Rule of the market is... "If there's a buyer, there's always a seller."
Junkies are the problem here... Junkies, Druggies, Addicts, Sick, whatever you want to call them are the F*ckers who finance drug trafficking... Finance weapons... FINANCE CRIME.
This is not the governments fault... The law is there and it prohibits the use of these recreational drugs... People who BREAK the law are at fault here and people who obey the law end up having to buy a gun in a sad attempt to protect themselves from this.
They ARE securing the border.
LOL!
Amanda:
I own a couple of businesses here in Seattle, including an interest in a construction company that places concrete. In the construction business I have the oppurtunity to meet a great many undocumented workers and speak with them frequently as I speak fluent Spanish. Trust me when I tell you this, they laugh about how easy it is to cross our border.
SI
TiagoBr - I agree
Start hammering on drug addiction in this country - even handing out death sentencing for repeaters.
Rid this country of the users and the suppliers will disappear.
Amanda,
What part of all that does not frighten and upset you?
TiagoBr - Traffic: Absolutely right. (except for the death penalty part).
And here's another reason to close up that southwestern American border! Mexico is of no benefit to America, NO BENEFIT AT ALL!!!!!!
They come and go here in Texas as they please too. Some sneak across, some just drive across and if they get caught maybe slip $$ to an agent. Their words...not mine !!
Though I'm sure all agents are not like that, some are. Bottom line is our border security is a joke. They have one border patrol agent for many square miles. If you don't beleive it, watch border wars or Texas drug wars. These people make numerous crossings every day with drugs, guns, and illegals. Dont' buy into the obama or napolito claim that the borders are safe.
Maybe they should spend a cuople of nights along the border without their secret service or police escorts. Then they would see the real border problems...if they survived !!
Yes .. put legal americans to work making the drugs for the US addicts to use. We don't need mexico to supply our addicts .. this country is great enough to supply meth to all of our citizens.
Arizona - I'd only use the death penalty in cases involving many drug arrests. After rehab, interventions, and other attempts failed. I'd rather put down one addict than have several lives messed up because of the addict.
If bushie was a true leader and really loved America, he would have secured the Southwest border instead of invading Iraq. I have no doubt that the southwest border needs National Guardsmen and lots of them. Obama is doing more than what bushie did though about the sewage that's flowing into America from Mexico.
He is... so the drug use and smuggling is on the decline? Wow.. it would appear this article conflicts with your BS.
AgeWithoutwisdom:
Does this disturb the heck out of me? Blessed Goddess, yes. However, there are those who advocate doing ANYTHING so long as it makes us a little more secure. There was a movie that came out a few years back caled 'Minority Report' that dealt with the idea of 'pre-crime prevention'. I see us, the US, heading down that road. The very fact that Homeland Security felt the need to test FAST 'in an undisclosed location in the Northeast' means that they know there are going to be public concerns about the ethics of the system and yet they will go ahead and develop and test it anyway in the name of 'security'. And the majority of the American people do consider it okay as long as it's being used to make the country more secure.
What happens when they decide YOU are the threat to the country's security? Have you seen DHS's list of possible terrorist indicators lately? Militias. Food and weapons stockpiles. Alternative media like Huffington Post and Drudge Report. Lawful acts of civil disobedience like the Occupy protests. Under the new NDAA that was signed Dec 31, those entities listed above can be thrown in military jail indefinitely without a trial starting Feb 29.
President Obama said publicly that he would NOT sign the NDAA--and then he turned around and signed it into law Dec 31. While I have no proof and people will dismiss me for a nutcase, the US Secret Service is now a branch of Homeland Security and he could be worried that if he didn't do what they wanted, his life and that of his family could be in danger. If the Secret Service wasn't really paying attention to their job, how easy would it be for someone to slip past them to shoot the president? Or, even more chilling, how easy would it be for someone actually in the employ or pay of the Secret Service to shoot the president and it would be chalked up to a 'rogue agent' or lone terrorist'? How easy would it be for a Secret Service agent to inject the President with a needleful of poison that will kill him in seconds, and it'll later be clamed he had a heart attack or something? I wouldn't think it would be hard for the government to falsify an autopsy report.
The fact that DHS is testing WASS in Nogales, on American soil, on American citizens, using unmanned drones in silent flyovers mostly at night outrages me. One person I exchanged messages with who lives in Nogales said they never knew anything about it, their consent wasn't given. I also don't like the idea of FORCING people to submit DNA samples. If you're in an airport and a DHS guy is taking DNA samples and you refuse, you think you're not going to instantly be under suspicion?
What about execution for constant users?? Get rid of the users .. crime drops in the US (less victims from crime) and the suppliers would not have a reason to smuggle.
Good US citizens should not have to be terrorized by other US citizens addicted to drugs. Get rid of them.
Our government put psuedoephedrine products under restrictions and the number of labs in the U.S. went down. Mexican cartels seen the opportunity and high demand for the drug and without restrictions of psuedo products took advantage of the situation. What did they expect would happen?
Sometimes I wonder if ignorance comes from missinformation that people read, or is it because people don't read? Going after the users is exactly what happens in our country right now. Thus the overpopulation of the prisons. Once a user is arrested they have a record. Often lose their job, their home, their children. I say user, because they don't even have to be an "addict". Once your life has been destroyed... I guess who cares might as well go back to the drugs?
Banning a product that people want doesn't make people stop using it. It doesn't make it go away. It makes it profitable for people who will sell it. A little experiment called prohibition was supposed to have taught our country that lesson. You know when the American Gangster became rich, violent and powerful? Oh wait... That's similar to the Mexican cartels. They "cracked down" on them and they became more powerful, diverse, and rich.
Portugal decriminalized ALL drugs in small possession back in 2001. Jail time was replaced with the offer of therapy. The argument was that the fear of prison drives addicts underground and that incarceration is more expensive than treatment — so why not give drug addicts health services instead? Under Portugal’s new regime, people found guilty of possessing small amounts of drugs are sent to a panel consisting of a psychologist, social worker and legal adviser for appropriate treatment (which may be refused without criminal punishment), instead of jail. Under the Portuguese plan, penalties for people caught dealing and trafficking drugs are unchanged; dealers are still jailed and subjected to fines depending on the crime. But people caught using or possessing small amounts—defined as the amount needed for 10 days of personal use, go in front of the panel. The result was a dramatic reduction in drug use.
When you reduce the demand, it reduces the profit. Reducing the profit, reduces the suppliers.
Our current policies are a war on the people. MOST Americans have smoked pot at some point and the answer isn't to jail them all. We are spending $15 Billion per year and drug use rates continue to climb. Your policy has failed, it's time to think outside of your little box.
I agree with traffic-fanatic. One trip to rehab, after that prison with hard labor. Make little rocks into big ones. No demand equals no market. I know of a couple of people on disability (government disability) who have been arrested for bath salts and marijuana. Guess what, if you have time and energy to use drugs you must have enough energy to work. Bye bye disability forever. Save it for the truly disabled and elderly!!!!
Wow, a sociopath genius! Great idea...not. Alcohol is still the most abused drug in America. Get drunk...get killed? Money is the key to it all. The Mexican drug-lords want "increased border security" just as much as the (probably drug lord financed) border politicians. It drives product costs up, gets the politician elected..."..politics makes strange bedfellows.
The ONLY way to handle all of the drug problems is to remove the profit motive. People, especially Americans, have proved that as long as there is big money to be made, they will do whatever it takes. They, like you do not care what happens to people, as long as they can profit. Decriminalize drugs, use propaganda to stigmatize "hard drug" users. Spend the "War on drugs" money on education and rehabilitation. If we legalize harmless drugs like marijuana, we can also use some of that tax revenue for the education and rehabilitation programs. The drug war (that we have lost) is just a waste of money and a huge profit for many corporations (that profit from misery). We had similar problems during prohibition and created many wealthy "crooks." Hell, during prohibition, alcohol was still served in the Whitehouse.
Traffic-fanatic
The idea of execution of people on drugs is wrong! Either a sick joke or a sick person is the only explanation for such an idea. END THE DRUG WAR IN THE US. Hit the cartels by reducing demand.
While that would CERTAINLY go a long way in cleaning out the gene pool, and it IS a lovely idea; it would never come to fruition. Not if the dope heads in Washington themselves have anything to say about it, anyhow.
Amanda, this stuff is being tested for us. Anything the dept of homeland security can do to violate our rights is what obama and napolitano want.. They have always been working for a giant DNA base so were all cataloged like little monkeys in cages!!! You can't believe much of what homeland security or the TSA tells you. Anything they come up with will be used against us. Most of the stuff is made here by US companies..They have 1000s of lobbyist pushing this stuff in washington and the govt can't wait to get thier hands on it to test it on us!!!!!
As a matter of fact Amanda, around here, we have seen the DHS Chief up close and very personal. She is a downright diabolically sinister player for the "transparent" Team Obuma crew. We really need to think about what we will look like in 4 years from now if we cannot kick these thugs to the curb. All of us lost plenty after 9/11. We all (are &) will be the victims of an undefended border and illegal immigration as well.
I have to wonder how many people would still use the stuff under the threat of death and still claim it is not addictive. Jail time is deterrent enough to keep me from doing stuff I don't need to do.
Undefended border? Doing nothing? Do you morons pay attention? The USA has been fighting an all out drug war since Nixon was president. We are doomed to repeat the same response over and over again. I'm amazed that alcohol was ever re-legalized in this country -- amazed. GET THIS THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULLS -- YOU WILL NEVER CONTROL MY BODY and therein lies the root of the problem.
And the laws are written quite clearly. You run afoul of the law by being in possession of drugs, producing drugs, and selling drugs, not using drugs. If you can find some way to use drugs without possessing them or buying them or producing them, you're in the clear. See, your right to do whatever you want to your body is upheld.
Tim:
I agree; however, I was on the message board yesterday for an article on the 'no fly' lists and how people whose names were the same as someone on the list were suddenly being told thy couldn't fly for either personal or business reasons. There were a lot of people who said they approved of these measures because it made them safer while flying. My response to that was 'enjoy trying to force your toddler's mouth open so DHS can get a DNA swab from the inside of their mouth'. My son is autistic; getting him to open his mouth for a dentist to look at a cracked tooth was absolutely impossible. How would they get a DNA swab?
Homeland Security's budget when they were formed in 2001 was $49 million; nine years later in 2010 it ha grown to $89 billion. There are no verifiable budget/accountability records for 2011 that I can find; I suspect that either DHS refused to release the figures or they never had an audit done, both of which violates the accountability rule that our government is supposed to have with us. Homeland Security is now a conglomeration of 187 government agencies under the direction of or partially or completely funded by Homeland Security:
US Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Customs And Border Protection (CBP
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
The US Coast Guard (USCG)
The US National Guard
US Northern Command (US NorthCom)
US Southern Command (US SouthCom)
US Secret Service
Office Of The Inspector General
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Federal Protective Service
National Communications System
Directorate for Science and Technology
Office of Health Affairs
Office of Intelligence And Analysis
Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Office of Legislative Affairs
Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement
Office of the Executive Secretariat
National Cyber Security Center
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Directorate for Management (financial agency)
Office of Policy
Office of Operations Coordination
But.. closing the border and enforcing our laws and protecting our citizens is racist!
These poor people just want better lives for their families!
I say we give them all an alternative: free, US taxpayer funded health care and education and food stamps for all Mexican citizens!
Who's with me?
You are full of it peteMt.
Cocaine and marihuana comes from that country, but some how YOU DON't HAVE PROBLEM WITH IT. oh yeah, Weed and coke coming from British Columbia, Canada is welcome !
How comes that I never watch report of czechs, poles or russian getting deported ? You food stamp line is boring.
wcritiquing needs to adjust his sarcasm detector.
Carlos is so correct. As a gringo from San Diego , now living Maine, I use to spend a lot of time south of the border and places further down on the mainland. He is correct about the pharmacies, I used to get to dental work done across the border. The professionals are very skilled and educated.
What Carlos didnt mention was how important the tourist dollar is especially for the border towns. Many Americans fear crossing the border now and the ones that are paying for the fear the cartel has struck into the hearts of everyone, are the the typical Mexican families. Just like us boys and girls, Dad wants to go work everyday, Mom wants to be a stay at home Mom and take care of the kids and the house and the children go to school. But their local economies are so wrecked by fear its stagnant. The citizens are not doing this to themselves. You think we have a sucky government? Its a country full of law abiding, family orientated, hard working loyal citizens with their hands tied behind their backs. You think they want to leave their Motherland?
in 03 the border patrol was told to let border jumpers go on by for HALF the day, they did not have the means to process them. I don't know what it is like now . But that WAS happening.
Seattle Indie,
If your business is hiring undocumented workers, you are one of the main reasons these workers are pouring across the border. You are contributing to the low wages that are being paid to the average guy construction worker. You should be accountable to the American people for being a direct influence on our border problem, unemployment and the economy. You mentioned that you talk and laugh with these undocumented workers? You should be in jail for hiring them. I am all for hiring skilled and unskilled workers from ANY country, But they should be legal. I am NOT against anyone willing to work hard, do it the right way.
dadel
Instant execution for the smugglers caught with large quantities will greatly reduce the flow of drugs into the country.
Remember the drug smuggler shot by border patrol? He had a @!$%#load of pot, cant remember how many pounds but quite a bit. He was given amnesty, flown to the US on the taxpayers dime to testify against the border patrol agents. Yeah aint the war on drugs great?
The US/Mex border is 2,000 miles long. There is a fence up on part of it. People coming to the fence can go through it, over it or under it. Where there is no fence they just stroll through. Spotters sit on mountain tops in AZ keeping tabs on BP/ICE/NG personnel.
Every week I see on KVOA news out of Tucson drugs found in backpacks, loose but bundled, inside vehicles and in tunnels from Nogales, Mex to Nogales, AZ.
Once in a while I see news of a drug ring busted. At the rate Washington is throwing help at the border, I my daughter will be a grandparent.
@traffic-fanatic I believe in the death penalty. And I believe if you are a repeat criminal the sentences should be harsher. I may even be willing to concede that there are argueably crimes other than mureder that warrant the death penalty. And I realize that you are entitled to your opinion, with the freedom of speech to state your opinion. So here's mine, you are a f##king idiot. And maybe you have a problem that you should be put to death. And just for your information, I do not drink or do drugs! MORON!
Are government needs to quit trying to control everything and everyone they need to throw in the towel on this "war on drugs" BS its pointless they cause more grief and pain than they do anything
If you google "meth ingredients" it's astounding what it takes to make that crap. And people willingly put it in their bodies......go figure!
Did you ever see the movie "Supersize Me!"? Look at what McDonald customers are willing to do to themselves and their children. More children were able to recognize Ronald McDonald's image than one of Jesus Christ.
It is BAD stuff and the violence and child abuse attached to the drug is horrible. The DEA and US law chased alot of the manufacturing of the drug out of the US only for it to be sent in from Mexico. Bottom line this is a BAD drug.
I would think with ALL of these busts, the DEA could cut back on it's expenses by using the $$$ also seized in these busts?
Seems every day, I hear about another huge bust, bigger than the last, with millions in CASH also seized. Do they NOT use these funds against those it was taken from?
Bullfighter all someone has to do is show you a badly made movie and you immediatly buy into it? Wow!
Bullfighter,
Brake fluid. acetone, lithium battery acid, paint thinner. Just a few of the ingredients in "Meth". And you compare it to McDonalds? You sir are an idiot!
Yes, you're correct, but the American dopeheads say if it's legal it won't hurt them. The Mexicans are only supplying a demand from America. All the murders in Mexico are directly related to the demand of drugs the Americans want. They don't care how many die, just give me the stuff and blame someone else when things go wrong. Don't blame Bush or Obama, blame the dopeheads.
BLAME THE drug war proponents for the violence and the drug overdoses. On the ranking scale of drugs -- alcohol, tobacco, and legal prescription drugs are the number one death makers. If hard drugs were regulated like alcohol -- the use of the drug would be out in the open for people to see first hand. No one would want to try meth after seeing what it does to the addicts. If we allowed the use of meth and made only available at regulated govt outpost and conditioned the use on getting treatment and registering with the govt and only using the drug in a designated area -- trust me, hard drug use would decline because people would see first hand what it does to users.
Crosby,
There are a lot of anti-meth campaigns showing what it does to users. It doesn't stop people from using it. You're describing a fantasy where all people act rationally all the time.
schoolyard: Haven't you seen the "pink slime" reports about how McDonald's used ammonium hydroxide to treat scrap meat for human consumption instead of dog food? Who knows what other crap they put in their food.
Some of you are a bit misinformed about the "ingredients"...These are only used in the process, as cleaners, catalysts, etc. I'm not defending the use or manufacture of meth...hell, no! I'm just saying that most of the chemicals get washed out of the final product (if the cook knows what they are doing, or cares. Many don't.)
“All of these drug trafficking groups, they are not in the business of drugs, they are in the business of making money. So regardless of what the drug is, if there is a market for it they are going to try ways of making money out of it.” (from article)
Substitute "American pharmaceutical companies" for "drug trafficking groups" and it's still a true sentence.
You got that right sister. Oxycontin was nothing but a drug manufactured for the addicts (hillbilly heroin) by the pharma co. They have a new one being tested now just like the old OC's. this one will be made from hydrocodone instead of oxycodone but it will be just as additive as the old OC's. It's suppose to be available in 2013 if the FDA approves it. You noticed after their patent ran out on the OC's they changed the formula & added an epoxy so they couldn't be abused as much.
The reason more people recognize Ronald McDonald than Jesus Christ is because the Church has not been the salt of the land and the light of the world.
The Church is apathetic, complacent and mediocre.
Ahhh, those Mexicans!
Doing the jobs that decent Americans refuse to do.
Poisoning the future of loyal Americans.
Americans, taking them in and getting stabbed in the back.
Is there anything that Mexicans won't do?
Yeah, they won't work legal jobs.
Apparently they won't USE meth.. Maybe because it's all being exported to the US for legal americans to use their government welfare / unemployment check money on.
Lets see, filling a market need with better quality at a cheaper price (as the story states) using cheap foreign labor. Oh, I your see the problem. It's not a US corporation that's fu<king us over this time.
You right Brian. It's not a US corporation that's fu<ing us over this time. WE DO IT OURSELVES.
We might don't end up on a nursery home.
No, were being seduced by the evil Mexicans. Didn't you read the posts?
Americans fought the wars that Mexicans refused to fight.
Americans saved the people that Mexicans don't give a crap about.
To Mexicans, this is their land waiting to be reconquested by the LA RAZA politicians and the turncoats in the churches.
At some point we're going to have to ask ourselves why so many people in the United States are taking drugs. Why are we so lost, so unhappy, so empty? What is it about our way of life which leads to drug use? I believe that our profit-driven, competitive system, which turns people into gears in a machine, is an unhappiness factory. We've turned away from what makes human beings human, and the consequence is unhappiness on a mass scale. People are taking drugs to escape reality, to feel better. Until we can so arrange our lives that ordinary living is fulfilling, we will continue to be a drug-consuming nation, with suppliers both here in the States, and across the border in Mexico. The war on drugs was preceded by a war on the soul of human beings. Until we stop the latter, we'll be saddled with the former.
I totally agree with you. America is not a solution oriented country. The country is driven by profit and greed. We arrest addicts, and the mentally ill, and place them in prisons, when it is treatment that they need. However, treating them would not allow the rich to profit from privatized prisons. There is so many things that's wrong with America, but the people are too unenlightened and divided to do anything about them. Our dysfunctional congress is a perfect example of how the American people think. Congress has a 13% approval rating, but we allow them to continue their incompetence, because we refuse to elect people who are willing to compromise and get things done. It is the American people who holds the blame for the condition of our country. We are divided by race, religion, and financial status, and this division will not allow us to be responsible and take responsibility for our actions. Only a united people can change the direction of our country. This is so obvious, but Americans refuse tho learn or change their behavior. We actually believe that we are better and brighter than everyone, and change is not required.
WEAK people need drugs.
Hey, but the those illegals work so hard! Wow just wow!
What little the Mexicans have to offer America, they make up for it by screwing up our country with so many drugs and so much crime!
Yes.. those rascals south of the border are responsible for all the addicts we have in the US. DAMN THEM!
If it weren't for the mexicans, this country would be totally employed and drug free!!!
All the crack heads, meth addicts, etc. are victims of mexican greed. The mexicans sneak all the drugs into the country and have a distribution network that is invisible to all the Feds, States and local law enforcement. Those mexicans are just that sneaky.
I find comfort in the fact the FBI just took millions of dollars worth counterfeit NFL jerseys off the market... JUST imagine what would have happened to the country if those NFL jerseys hit the streets. I shudder at the thought.
Personally, I have never had a Mexican attempt to make me do drugs. Therefore, I believe that using is a choice made by people who have not been prepared to cope with our society. Let's start blaming ourselves for making bad choices.
Yes why don't you ask the biggest drug dealers that question the pharmaceutical companies, Alcohol companies, and Coffee companies? As far as the "Herb" Cannibas maybe people such as myself prefer do use something natural to ease body pain. Though it has been about 2 years since I have smoked any. Gods Gift to Mankind is what I call it. If we started using it for everything that it is able to be used for the world would be a much better place. For instance no more cutting down trees for paper pulp or even lumber. No more Oil Dependence. No more oil made plastic. Paints, rope, clothing that does not need tons of chemicals to grow like cotton. And the list goes on and on. The only way to kill the Cartels is to take the business from them. So that brings up the National Deficit. If we had federal stores for those who pefer a natural "herb" over "Drugs". It is less likely to end up in the hands of children and would create many jobs. You would need people to grow it and cultivate it. People to trans port it. People to build the store for the sell of it to smoke or eat. People to build the plants to make it fuel,paper,rope,paints,etc;. People to work in those places. Many more less deaths if any involved. It all starts with proper education. If you tell a kid the Cannibas is bad for them and will make them do bad things, and then they try it. Well now they no your lying and will think your lying about everything else. And all the BS about Cannibas being a gateway is just that BS. What is the gateway is the poor education and making something illegal. Most kids now are more apt to go raid mom and dad's or granny's Medicine cabinet. So ask yourself. If something is sold in a federal store who is going to go to the streets to buy something of less grade and possibly laced with something else? Now the other question. Will it cause more people to smoke Cannibas? No. Cigarette are legal and does everyone run out to buy and smoke them. Alcohol is legal and I myself along with others I know don't drink, though more are apt to do this much much more harmful act because it is publicized so much even though it causes so many deaths and violents. Coffe is the same way and it to is much much more harmful. Yet it is considered ok for teens to be at a Starbucks drinking it. Now for those who say coffee is not a drug. Does it alter your state of mind? Yes it does. Does it go through processing to come to it's drinking form? Yes it does. Cannibas does not you pick it let it dry in open air and smoke it, hence a "herb". and if you eat it you don't even need to dry it. No chemicals or processing involved at all.
Yes why don't you ask the biggest drug dealers that question the pharmaceutical companies, Alcohol companies, and Coffee companies? As far as the "Herb" Cannibas maybe people such as myself prefer do use something natural to ease body pain. Though it has been about 2 years since I have smoked any. Gods Gift to Mankind is what I call it. If we started using it for everything that it is able to be used for the world would be a much better place. For instance no more cutting down trees for paper pulp or even lumber. No more Oil Dependence. No more oil made plastic. Paints, rope, clothing that does not need tons of chemicals to grow like cotton. And the list goes on and on. The only way to kill the Cartels is to take the business from them. So that brings up the National Deficit. If we had federal stores for those who pefer a natural "herb" over "Drugs". It is less likely to end up in the hands of children and would create many jobs. You would need people to grow it and cultivate it. People to trans port it. People to build the store for the sell of it to smoke or eat. People to build the plants to make it fuel,paper,rope,paints,etc;. People to work in those places. Many less deaths if any involved. It all starts with proper education. If you tell a kid the Cannibas is bad for them and will make them do bad things, and then they try it. Well now they no your lying and will think your lying about everything else. And all the BS about Cannibas being a gateway is just that BS. What is the gateway is the poor education and making something illegal. Most kids now are more apt to go raid mom and dad's or granny's Medicine cabinet. So ask yourself. If something is sold in a federal store who is going to go to the streets to buy something of less grade and possibly laced with something else? Now the other question. Will it cause more people to smoke Cannibas? No. Cigarettes are legal and does everyone run out to buy and smoke them. Alcohol is legal and I myself along with others I know don't drink, though more are apt to do this much much more harmful act because it is publicized so much even though it causes so many deaths and violents. Coffee is the same way and it to is much much more harmful. Yet it is considered ok for teens to be at a Starbucks drinking it. Now for those who say coffee is not a drug. Does it alter your state of mind? Yes it does. Does it go through processing to come to it's drinking form? Yes it does. Cannibas does not you pick it let it dry in open air and smoke it, hence a "herb". and if you eat it you don't even need to dry it. No chemicals or processing involved at all.
Do you want the war on drugs to end? Try this: open up distribution centers in every major American city and give them away for free. The thrill-seekers will quit because it is no longer illegal. The experimenters can satisfy their curiosity with controlled doses, and the self-destructive idiots can kill themselves off without having to steal my stereo in the process. Problem solved.
You say get rid of the users "junkies". Well that would be wonderful. We could just walk right up to em and put a bullet in their head. Right? Come on now, let's be reasonable. Although I don't know the exact number, but I would guess that 50%(probably exaggerated) of the people who are addicted to meth want to stop using the drug but there are not any well known ways to quit using the drug without having to shell out money they don't have to go to rehab. 90% of the people I know started using again after rehab. There are a few good people out there who have become addicted to meth, they need better rehab programs then there wouldn't be such a high demand.
Traffic, It's the stress of just knowing that Mexico is down there! You can't blame US citizens for being driven to drugs just by the thought of all those brown people just south of our boarder. And don't get me started on Cuba. That's how I explain my drinking and if I ever have E.D. it's going to be Canada!
Oh, and just a serious note: I'm pretty liberal but some drugs are so addictive and destructive that they have no place in our society. Meth is one of these. People say just make it legal and let those who would experiment, experiment and those who would kill themselves do it. Problem is that it only takes one time (it's extremely addictive both physically and mentally!) and many of those experiments would ultimately end in ruined lives if not death. Do you want your kid making that gamble for a one time experiment? Would it make you feel better that the drug that ruined their life was legal? For all our failings in our drug policy I don't think going after these guys is one of them.
It also takes the profit out of it. The cartels would have to get a real job.
Here's why legalizing everything won't work.
You could make every drug legal for personal possession (like it is in Mexico), but you can bet trafficking will still be illegal (like it is in Mexico and every other nation that has legalized personal possession). The drug war would continue, Mexican cartels would still be supplying demand, because let's face it, most drug users do not have the wherewithal to manufacture their own drugs safely (with one exception). And how many folks would go through the effort to produce their own personal drugs? You can brew your own beer but hardly anybody does it when it's just easier and quicker to buy it. I don't know a single person who exclusively drinks their own home-brewed beer 100% of the time.
Pragmatic --- your imagination is weak -- if we legalized certain drugs with "conditions" i.e., you could only buy or use hard drugs that were produced by the govt (to insure quality) and only use the hard drugs in a designated area. Once the govt figured out who was addicted to the hard drugs it would be easier giving these people help to quit. Trust me, if all hard drug use as confined to a certain area and society got to see first hand what hard drugs do to users -- No one would want to start using hard drugs in the first place. The key to winning this battle is govt regulation of the market and open use policy.
They would have to be cheaper than anything on the market now. I'm not going to underwrite the production of substances I object to on my tax dollars.
What's the difference if that place is called "jail?" There isn't one, except that there would be zero due-process for putting people there. People who buy drugs already make a choice to break the law. At least there is due-process before we send them to jail.
Who pays? Financing rehab on the cost of selling people drugs is not sustainable and will make non-government-produced stuff cheaper. People will buy the non-government-produced stuff if it is cheaper and if they don't have to report to government drug use areas.
I don't think there is a single hard drug user that didn't know the risks before using hard drugs. They foolishly assumed that they would be able to control their use, unlike other people who just let it "get out of hand." People don't think rationally all of the time, it's just reality.
@GreySkyEast: I completely agree with you. The problem is us for the most part, yes of course there are problems in Mexico coming to us, but Americans do not HAVE to buy the drugs from them. They don't put a gun to our heads and say "shoot up or we'll kill you." The constitution states the people have the right to overthrow the government. Why are we not doing this when our country is clearly in such a fragile state? All of those in congress and the senate need to be replaced IMMEDIATELY with real hardworking middle class folks who understand the value of a dollar, how to fix things that are broken, and how to keep things that way. The death penalty is NOT the answer is any shape or form. The addicts & users have a problem. They need HELP, not to be murdered; they need to be shown there is good in the world and that life can be wonderful, exhilarating, and worth living without drugs, because that IS possible. THATS the real "American Dream," to live that way, to live free and happy. The people of our country, the good-hearted, honest people of this country (not the greedy, rich, power-hungry folks) need to man up & say "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. WE will take our country back and fix the corruption you have put upon us." We need to admit our mistakes we made for electing them. It's time this country stopped being ran by those who buy their way into making decisions. WE are the people. It's time we show it & fix our country, help our addicts/users, secure the borders and educate our children.
March onto Washington and demand our rights back.
Pragmatic - You are extremely ingnorant on this subject. All you are doing is speculating what will happen if we legalize certain drugs and use the profits to rehabilitate and educate. Your guess isn't any better than anyone else's. However some countries have experimented and the positive results were nothing like your wild imaginings.
It's truly amazing to me that not one poster has mentioned the true suppliers and culprits of the Cartel/Meth problem. China and India! They supply the Mexican Cartels. They don't have this stuff in Mexico, it's imported from our two friendliest allies (sarcasm) who have taken 10s of millions of American jobs and now they are helping to destroy our young people to make more money. If all Americans stopped buying a friggin' thing from China and India starting today the exports of Meth precursers to Mexico would stop tomorrow. Oh yeah, and all the corporations who are outsourcing jobs would immediately start investing in American factories and hiring Americans knowing that they wouldn't be able to sell their foreign made products to us anymore. We have total and complete control over this, why doesn't ONE single politician (even R Paul) talk about this????????????
Addiction is a coping mechanism. And as long as life is so chaotic, people need help getting through the day.
I chose Jesus.
The key word in that statement is "chose". You have the right to choose because we live in a free society and we drug users should have the right to manage our own bodies and choose whatever we want to put in it. Remember that limited government thing?
nita-2075808 They are importing them; not us.
Sonar - do you think the drugs come here and are warehoused? The demand is in the US. Rid this country of the drug users and the suppliers go away.
rid the country of people like you and we will be far better off Traffic
Thank You. You know me so well.
Just from your posts we know your freaking idiot!
Legal immigrants, OK, dripping out of the Rio Grande, targets. I'll cut my own grass.
If the US would target the drug dealers within this country with immediate death upon being caught dealing drugs - no trial, nothing, just shoot them as soon as the undercover cop purchases the drug - the availability of drugs would go down. These rats would be too afraid to deal the drugs, so there would be no distribution within the US and the cartels would have to figure something else out. As for Mexico claiming they are working hard on eradicating the cartels, remember that the whole government is one of the most corrupt on the planet and don't believe anything they say.
Considering how poor some of us have become, you would think that we would no longer be able to import illegal drugs or be able to afford domestically produced illegal drugs. Maybe we aren't poor enough. Monkeys can't sell bananas. I'm sure the people working in the Mexican cartels are doing so because of hunger, a direct result of the corruption of the government. They are exporting, we are importing. We are not hungry enough. Our citizens can still choose to be a drug addict with the knowledge that somebody will feed, clothe, house and medicate them. Our citizens are not worried about passing a drug test to get a job, we rely on illegal immigrant labor to fill jobs not filled by our citizens, while our citizens indulge in recreational illegal drugs use.
The availability would go down but the demand stays constant. What is available would increase in price to where the majority of drug addicts wouldn't be able to afford it. There will then be an increase in crime like robbery, prostitution and theft as those desperate for the drugs do anything to get it. Shopkeepers will die because a desperate addict wants the cash register. People's homes willbe burglarized for any money and valuables an addict can pawn or sell for cash to buy. Addicts will be killing dealers who don't have enough, dealers will kill more addicts because they are afraid for their lives. Dealers will shoot cops on sight because they think they'll be shot. The illegal gun trade will flourish as more dealers buy weapons with which to shoot the police. Cops will become more nervous and more trigger happy, and innocent people will be killed. Collateral damage from a war.
Not to mention which shooting someone without a trial is blatantly unconstitutional.
In order to 'win' the 'war on drugs' you have to change the mindset of the people using them. If there is nothing else we have learned fron the 'war on drugs', it should be this.
So you are saying that adding the chance that they will be shot will make the black market go away? This will have two major effects. The first is that the non-violent offenders will disappear very quickly, that would not be a place for the people who are not violent. This leads to the second effect, all of that business goes somewhere. What is the chance of being shot at increasing a bit for people who do that on a regular basis? This would just bring the violence they have in Mexico right now across the boarder and in to the US.
Amanda...
Drug addicts will not use drugs if they are dead. I've learned that.
If an addict can't be rehabbed .. they will continue to be a problem and a threat to others.
Put them down...
Cartels are also into ID theft, and many other avenues of crime also. Ever heard of MS-13?
Nice to see the Christian Sharia Law warriors out so early. More drug testing(which is pricey and only works well for cannabis). Putting nonviolent drug offenders to death. Shooting dealers without a trial. You guys need to move to Iran or Singapore or something and leave America to the FREEDOM LOVERS.
Fun fact: Possession of marijuana is punishable by death in the US. You need to have around 60,000 kilos of it to get that sentence and it is probably unconstitutional.
If our Government can secure the Iraq border on the other side of the Globe, they certainly could do it here. But then where would our politicians get there Coke and Meth and little girls for their big DC orgies and Big Vegas parties?. Washington DC has more millionaires than any other US city. Washington DC is the only city in the US where Real Estate prices are actually still going up and never dropped. Woohoo, I just dropped out of my nursing class, changing my major to "political science".
Traffic: how do you feel about alcoholics? Do they get a pass because their drug of choice is legal?
Your stance sounds ridiculous when you suggest unrealistic solutions. What you suggest is merely an unrealistic band-aid, not a solution to the root of the problem. Please, quit talking such nonsense.
NM East - Another ranter of pure ignorance. If we executed drug dealers the prices would skyrocket making it 50 times more profitable for the dealers. Then they would arm themselves with uzis and grenade launchers and you'd have more dead policemen than you could count. The dealers would gang up and would begin to resemble the Mexican Cartels as they would join together for protection. If our servicemen and women will put their lives on the line every day for a few grand a month you don't think dealers would do the same for a million dollars a month? Man some people are just so stupid on these posts it's beyond my comprehension. Where do people get these crazy ideas anyway? Fox News? J Edgar Hoover's memoirs? Reefer Madness?
I am almost 60 years old. I grew up in the late 60's and early 70's. Even then, schools talked about how you "shouldn't do drugs", "how you shouldn't smoke, drink, have sex". The schools are still preaching that and people are still drinking, doing drugs and having sex outside of marriage. The American people don't or won't learn. The Mexican Cartels have already armed themselves with uzis, grenade lauchers, even submarines to move their drugs into the U.S. They have moved their "gangs" into the U.S., because our government doesn't or won't stop them from coming here. The cartels already are shooting our police officers and other security personnel, so what would be different, if we started shooting drug dealers and smugglers on sight? If you get rid of enough of them, Mexico will no longer have a population and the drug addicts here would have died or gone cold turkey to get over the drugs. Make these drugs legal, let people grow their own pot for their own use and make sure they know, if they give, gift, trade or sell their products to others, it's a death sentence. Give them places to "cook" their meth if they want to - for all I care, let them overdose and die in the streets. After awhile, there won't be any more drug addicts, as those who have any brains at all will decide it's not worth it. Those who don't have the necessary brains should be removed from the gene pool anyway.
Enemy: I've seen much of the world in and especially out of Uniform and how they deal with those moving product. Those that place the ultimate penalty of death still have a problem. Movers of product just get the kids to do their selling. Mexico's been that way for years. As long as there're folks choosing to use, there will be product available. It's all about choice and nothing else. I couldn't care less about the well-being of addicts as they only care for the next hit and nothing more. F**k them! They chose to play the game regardless and now they rot as a consequence. They couldn't care less about me either for I chose not to play. I laugh at the huge lines of US and Canadian geriatric junkies waiting at the Narco-owned Boticas south of the line here along Southern Arizona-Mexighanistan border. More often than not they'll consume their hit before crossing back into the US. Growing up, any and all dope (including smokes and booze) was ALWAYS available right on the table. Uncles, aunts and cousins would come right in and shoot, snort, smoke or drink their $hit without a care. Mom (Codine was her fave) could out do all nine of her brothers collectively and still go to work as a post-op nurse! Try living in that as a kid. It was normal in this hood and still is. Not in my house!! Anyhow, I had more living examples of what NOT to be than I could count. I still operate out of that same neighborhood, live three days a week in that very same house for my Dad, he never touched any. My hero. Bought it after Happy-time in Southeast Asia and the Middle East as a Corpsman/Designated hitter, 2nd Marines. I remember when so many laughed when Nancy Reagan promoted "Say No." My experience and mine alone, it was that easy! I've said for some time on these posts about the Meth crossing North. What this article failed to tell is that the Beach Boys (YACS) are the big ice dogs in Mexico. African (Nigerian and Sudanese) Pink arrives by the tankerload via Puerto Barrios, Guatemala and China Blue does the same into the ports of Salina Cruz, Mexico. Remember these colors as they represent the finest grade of ephedrine on the planet. The Gulf of Tehuantepec is littered with crankshops. Their major waste product (Red Phospherous) shows mighty nice on the INF SatPix. Calderon is impotent against former PEPES, Senderos, Sandinistas, FARCS, etc. down here. Remember Sub-Commandante Marcos? Chiapas revolutionaries? Anyhow, these areas are managed for the Eastern Bloc boys from Brighton, NY. From Russia with love? Yep, the very same folks who own Europe's meth-market. Costing them too much playing from Lisbon. Seems they're leaving for more profiting grounds in Mexico. Can anyone guess where the quietest front along the border is? There's two growing Beach Boys colonias and there's no anatomical puzzles, etc. Mighty peacefull, almost too peaceful. Lots of Beach Boys(Yugo, Albanian, Croat and Soviets) to be found there. Anyone? WRONG!! This paradise is Agua Prieta, across the boneyard from Douglas,AZ. Anyhow, no one can compete on the quantity, quality nor consistency of the Meth produced in Mexico. Arivaca,AZ the meth stepping stone to America has been regulated by the Boys. They call themselves the RNB. Real Narco Boys. Source exclusivity is their only game. A family was offed because they sidelined an indie sale. The RNB had members of an outlaw borderwatch group provide the talent. Every once in a while the desert coughs up a body for a stupid tourist hiker to find. Those stiffs speak loudly. Got decades down here. Nothing like a real working experience on the subject to put a spine to an opinion! As long as there's a need to fill, the folks south of the line will fill it. If not, the Chinese and Quds will have no problem doing it from Mexico. Go figure.
It's a wonder any of our children grow up sane.
Do ya think? Just take a close look at how today's children act and then tell me they are sane. They are the ones buying the drugs.
Wilted Rose: I agree: Parents today are so worried about being their child's friend instead of the parent. What happened to teaching kids respect?! All my children are in scouts. At the last Girl Scout meeting, a young girl came in, around age 10, and had her hair died blue. I asked her if it is the kind that washes out. She said no. when I was that age I would not have even been allowed to dye my hair, let alone blue! I know, we are supposed to let our children expresses themselves, however, playing violent video games, dying their hair blue, piercings all over etc: What happened to looking respectable, and having manners?
Today's society is so concerened about material stuff. I always tell my children that people are more improtant than stuff. I would rather spend family time, going to the park, movies, etc: than buy the newest "hot thing" that the kids got to have. I can only hope and pray that my children won't do drugs. If I find out that they are. I will do everything I can to help them.
Send in Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.
(Breaking Bad reference for those who don't watch that brilliant show.)
Close the border and send all illegal aliens home. Our military should be utilized to insure national border security. Make the crime of importing illegal drugs a capitol offence.
WHY NOT make the USE of drugs and capital offense!!! The problems this country has are NOT always someone elses fault.
This country needs to get tough with it's own citizens before dictating to other countries.
Stop drug addicts, Stop the lifers on government entitlement programs, make people be responsible.
The government needs to focus on these crimes and not "counterfeit" NFL gear.
Why would Mexicans go to USA illegally to buy drugs. The demand for drugs is from USA citizens, not illegals. Also, there is too much money involved, to stop importation of illegal drugs. Also, the USA will always be at war with some country, because there is too much money to be made from the USA's military industrial complex. The USA politicians know if they cry, "they just want democracy and their leader is killing his own people", the USA citizens will support any war, except the fake war on drugs.
Traffic-fanatic -
That's a fine idea; I am all for it ! I don't do drugs at all.
I do believe part of the solution would be to legalize growth of 2 or 3 marijuana plants per household. This would lessen the potency as most people are not devoted enough to grow good pot. It would also force organized criminals to deal with the riskier stuff.
I am all for capitol punishment of hard drug dealers too. How about 3rd offence gets the death penalty? I am fine with that.
I am sick of people calling it an illness; IT IS A CHOICE !!!
they call it an illness so the legal drug companies can sell pills to the drug user "to make them better" Its just a term used to that legal drug companies can get in one the action.
@ Traffic-Fanatic and Sonar Guy why don't we make stupidity a capital offense and you 2 morons can go to the front of the line.
Voy a estar orando por todos vosotros mudos cabrones que saber para programar sobre México. Usted pajarones sabemos nada!
Jim: La problema no es curado solamente que los Americanos corte el, uso. Los endrogados Americanos son responsable por lo que pasa, nada menos! Bottom line, gotta clean out what's already inside the castle before stopping what wants to get inside. Legal or not, taxed or not, the user will get it from an illegal source because it's cheaper. Decriminalizing pot alone would save tons of operating costs. It would force the bad guys to move the hard $hit and therefore face stiffer penalties. Tecatos? Que se pudren! Junkies? Let 'em rot... their choice, their ride.
Secure the border!
The chemicals used to make this poison now come from China and India..hmmmm. What other products come from that part of the world? Oh, yeah. GUNS. Until we get serious about border control...this will be a problem. Maybe if we get a enw president that will happen. Then maybe they can stop blaming U.S. gun owners on the crime problem in mexico.
Bobo, Border control is non-feasible as long as there's a need for what's being made south of the line. Can't protect the castle until what is already inside is cleaned out. Too many influential folks like it the way it is. New boss, same as the old boss. Bottom line is that regardless of who's elected, the lobbyists own the offices. Politicians come and go all the time. Lobbyists are there to stay regardless. Let's not forget our neighbor down the block in Venezuela, Little Hugo and his little friend, Ass-masn-in-need-of-a-jab with his circle of bosses in Tehran. That's how you put it to your enemies, you flood their populace to the point that they're fighting among themselves. The world knows that drugs in America does just that! Remember the Brits in China with Opium? Oh, how we forget!
One step closer to implementing the Defence Authorization Act by declaring drug cartels "terrorist organizations" so the anti-drug addicts,(those that are as messed up ABOUT drugs as the people ON drugs), can use the threat of military incarceration to scare the drug consumers into compliance. They probably wish the thought about doing that in the 30's during alcohol prohibition. Another erosion of civil liberties in the effort to legislate morality.
And once they're in our GITMO-like hotels we'll medicate 'em with those same illegal substances. Pop control at its finest!! Liberties be gone, we'll jus' keep 'em drugged! Erosion, my ass! Dredged is more like it!
Vote Obama out of office and get someone in office to protect the borders.
Obama is doing more than that refartbubblelican George W. Bushie did to protect the border.
Another thing, if Romney gets elected, he'll do even less than bushie did! Mark my word!
Obey the Law
Thank You for making such well founded political statements for the democrats and express your dislike for the republicans.
However - both parties - the entire US government has failed miserably on drugs in this country.
If the borders were shut off completely you would just see an increase of drun manufacturing within the US. If the demand is there - someone will capitalize on it.
So let's start asking WHY neither party gets really serious about controlling importation, sales, distribution and users?
Why (as so many people have asked before) do we have so many soldiers in Germany, France, Italy, etc. etc. etc. when they could be deployed and living in towns on our North and South borders and enjoying life in the US while protecting our sovereign rights..............Why is that?
AZ Time, IT'S THE LOBBYISTS!!!!!
Follow the money honey..
greyskyeast
you are right
all we do is work, work and work some more
we take drugs to escape that reality
if we are lucky we make $40,000 a year and a car cost $20,000
My husband works 80 to 100 hours a week (depending on the time of year) He is also a volunteer fireman. He has never took drugs. He is happy with his life. I asked him before if he ever regrets working so much. He told me, If you do what you truly love to do, it is not work. Its living life. Most people have a JOB. Not what they truly want to do with their lives.
My sister in law works at a nursing home. Most people couldn't handle that. I asked her what she liked the most. She said, someone has to do it. We all get old one day:)
If you feel like you have to "escape" Please find a different path in your life. What do you want to do? What makes you happy. You only have one life to live, why ruin it with drugs?
Southern Il Farmer, Very nice to hear someone speak who has a grasp on the true meaning of life. I wish I had as great an outlook on life as you, your husband, and sister in law. Fortunately I married a woman who shares those same traits, she is always exhibiting a positive life style in every way, she never fails to amaze me with her positive outlook on life, but I digress. Have a Great Day!
Thanks so much for your kind comments: I am glad you have a great marriage:) Just keep looking at the positive things in life:)
If we could stop our citizens from using and importing illegal drugs we could:
1. Reduce the enormous burden on the health system caused by drug users.
2. Reduce unemployment because nearly everyone requires a pre-employment drug screen.
3. Reduce crime rates.
4. Reduce prison populations.
5. Reduce law enforcement.
6. Reduce the percentage of our population that survives on federal assistance (food stamps, housing, social security disability, etc.)
7. Reduce the number of children who are living below the poverty level.
8. End the war on drugs.
I am sure there are many other things that would be accomplished if we stopped our LEGAL CITIZENS from being involved in the illegal drug industry. Apparently our capitalistic citizens would rather have drugs than food and do not have to choose between the two. If our drug users lived in Mexico, you can be assured that if they chose to buy drugs instead of food, they would eventually starve to death.
Yea, sure buddy! That is the policy we ARE pursuing. Been there, done that, isn't workling!
this is the right track
now if we could just convince every one to follow suit
everytime you smoke pot or take illegal drugs you have a hand in the death of some one
make pot legal just like alcohol
I know. If we "closed" the borders and eliminated illegal immigrants, our citizens will still use illegal drugs. I'm in favor of decriminalizing drugs. I am also in favor of requiring a drug test to get unemployment compensation, food stamps, government subsidized housing, social security disability, etc. If you can spend your money on a luxury such as recreational drugs, my taxes should not go toward supporting your needs. As far as children trapped in homes where the priorities are not in order, umm, prison sentences for the parents. However, if your bills are paid and your children are taken care of, what you do with your discretionary income is not my business.
How can this be considered a recreational drug? Yet the government concentrates on seizing marijuana instead.
When was the last time you've heard of someone smoking a joint have hallucinations, paranoid, becoming "extremely" violent, etc.... When was the last time you've read a story of someone smoking MJ wipe out their family, blow away kids in a school yard, beat someone to death because of rage?
Oh yeah, it is also NOT physically addictive. It has proven to be of medicinal value in helping millions of people with severe medical problems.
http://altmed.creighton.edu/medicalmarijuana/Clinical%20Use.htm
http://www.thc.eu/
If the government made MJ legal, taxed and controlled it like liquor sales, we would have millions of dollars to go after the serious drug traffickers.
I suffer from several medical conditions, but instead of being able to legally use MJ instead of a legally available, addictive narcotic, oxycontin. Until MJ is made legal in my State, I'm stuck using the addictive stuff that is destroying my liver.
Everyone seems to center on the poor as being the drug users in this country and creating the problems. Drug abuse has no economic boundaries. The wealthiest have more money to spend on drugs and they do.
Wilted Rose,
Ask your doctor about dronabinol. It's the purified active ingredient of MJ. It's a schedule III drug, so it should be fewer hoops to jump through compared with oxycontin which is schedule II.
Wilted Rose, you almost sold me till you threw the medical marijuana angle out there. See Pragmatics post above, I know so many people that have a medical marijuana license who only purchased it so they could party with the drug of their choice. I am not saying I am against legalization, I could care less. I am saying I have first hand experience that people abuse the system regularly and the medical marijuana platform is hugely exaggerated to say the least. You might want to ask yourself if you are a pain pill addict, denial is a symptom of addiction.
The only way to do this is to legalize drugs and let the drug users die off.
Bonez- The drugs would be cleaner so they would live longer, but I do agree about making them legal. It would boost the economy, cut government costs, and cut crime. Stats also show there would be less abuse of the drugs over time.
More people die from the violence related to illegal drug trafficking than the drugs alone. More people die from the side effects of legal drugs than people who use illegal drugs.
There is also quite a long list of people who have been killed from police officers going to the wrong address to make a drug bust.
.......fox, meth, republican...........
Wow, 50s no more. You get the award for "Most inane post of the day".
Congratulations. You win a stuffed donkey.
50's no more:
Are you okay?! Did you just ralph on yourself? Don't feel bad, that happens less as you gain coherence or simply stop using.
Why does Glenn Beck come to mind?
The US needs to work with Mexico, from a military perspective, and use the US military to interdict. Its obvious, the Mexican military can't do anything about it from their side.
We are working with Mexico. The US got permission from Mexico to test a retina scanner that is reportedly accurate from 50 feet away while a person is running. They are using Leon, Mexico, as a testing ground for the retina scanners, part of a wider system called 'FAST', or Future Attribute Screening technology.
FAST will scan a person as far as 50 feet away for changes in body temperature, respiration, heart rate, eye movement and other factors to determine if they are acting in a suspicious manner. Agents watching the scanners can then direct ground agents to arrest the person befoe they can commit an illegal act. Early tests utilizing DHS employees who were told to act a certain way indicated hat the machine was 70% accurate in detecting persons who were told to act suspiciously.
Eventual plans are to roll out FAST nationwide, both in Mexico and the US. DHS is also planning to utilize FAST in airports to figure out who is nervous getting on a plane--the FAST system utilizes retina scanning, infrared, pulse and respiration monitor, so someone out of breath with pulse pounding and eyes shifting around rapidly is certainly about to commit a terrorist act. If you have a machine that tells you that someone will commit a crime, then you can arrest them and put them in jail before they commit that crime, which could serve to wipe out most obvious types of crime right away. FAST can be used on buses to predict which passengers will cause a disruption and transportation officers can meet the bus at the next stop, taking the potentially disruptive passenger away to jail; can be used to tell which businessman walking into a diplomatic session will be carrying a briefcase bomb. There will be no more chances for assassination plots like 'Operation Valkyrie' and of course no more 9-11, unless the terrorists are specifically trained to act normal and can control their breathing enough to appear calm and beat the scanner. After all, the scanner has 70% accuracy!
The retina scanning can be incorporated to scan a person's eyes as they sit at a red light, predicting who is going to run that red light before they do it, printing that person a ticket for running that red light before they even do it. Traffic cameras will be able to see a person's shifting eyes, predicting that they will cut off another vehicle before they do it; and they can record the pulse of the other driver, and if the pulse speeds up after the person is cut off, the police can apprehend the other driver for a potential road rage incident before the driver can actually commit said incident.
tin foil
Culheath:
Do a google search for 'Retina scanners', 'Leon, Mexico, the safest city in the world'; 'Future Attribute Screening Technology', 'Portable DNA analyzer'.
I don't want to be paranoid, and am certainly not usually the paranoid type, but with the NDAA kicking into effect on Feb 29, the nationwide protest planned against the NDAA today, and now HR3166, or the Enemy Expatriation Act (which will allow the government to strip you of your citizenship if you're suspected of terrorism), it is getting a little hard not to be paranoid or look at all of the information with at least a skeptical eye.
"FAST"? That is too funny. After the FAST system is used then the FART team can be sent in to arrest the violator. Fast Action Response Team. It is composed of many older DHS employees. The would be violators should always wear aluminum foil hats and mirrored sunglasses.
Hell, let's just send our military into Mexico City and annex Mexico. That would solve the illegal alien problem since all Mexicans would then become U.S. Citizens. We could take over their oil fields. We could raid their treasury. We could kick in the doors of all suspected drug labs with abandon. Problem solved.
And get Hezbollah in the bargain. More problems.
This is prohibition all over again. Those ignorant of history are bound to repeat it.
Annex it! yes you heard it right, The U.S. should forcefully annex the Mexican states that border us, it could be a buffer zone, it would send the message that if they wont police their own state then we will.
Just take them. I like that idea.
Better yet, let's give Texas, NM, Az and California back to Mexico.
nobrent
HELL NO !!!
The moral here is: If people wanna tweak, they're gonna tweak, and there's not a thing, you, me, or the govt. can do about it. It's sad but true. The war on drugs is a fckn joke. I dont think legalizing is the answer, but prohibition sure isn't working. Any suggestions ??
Yeah, I have a few. First, stop sending drug mules back to Mexico without prosecution. On the border we catch and release people because they are illegal aliens when we would put you away for twenty years for the same offense. Second, stop giving bail to drug offenders that will always jump bail and hide in Mexico. If anyone doubts this just google "DEA Most Wanted. Most illegal alien drug dealers never go to prison when caught.
The perpetrators of the War on Drugs make the same amount of money as the drug cartels. Users are their stock in trade.
Think of the War on Drugs as putting your thumb over the end of hose that puts out a constant amount of water. What happens to the flow of water when you do that? Is there less water coming out of the hose? No. All you did was increase the pressure.
Ha, all of these white trailer trash racists that hate anything mexican are sending billions aross the border to mexico so they can feed their nasty habits!
Once again who can we blame? It is certainly not the fault of Americans widspread use of these drugs oh no, let us build a maginot line. Better yet let's legalize all the drugs this way The USA can be bankrupt and dopeheads.
Go reach for your coffee and take some drugs for your medicine cabinet moron. There are more who smoke Cannibas and how a job or have a business just fine. Oh yeah and while your at it go drink a 6pack and kill someone on the road or beat your kids.
I'm sorry this is too easy.
First, it's "Cannabis". Second, it's "have", not "how". But please go on to tell me that pot does not impair judgement or interfere with daily activities. And for the record, I don't drink coffee, alcohol, or do any other drug. I have to be in total agony before I even consider taking Tylenol.
That's just silly. Do you enjoy the pain or something?
Pragmatic,
Try acetylsalicylic acid (old fashion aspirin) as its much safer for your liver.
Or if it's the idea of the pill form of medicine...just chew on or make tea from some willow bark which is where the aspirin ingredient comes from in the first place.
Otherwise you could perhaps use this as a mantra:
Masochist: Beat me!
Sadist: No!
Until the demand is eliminated, we will have drugs, alchohol, obesity, gambling, tobacco and other addition-related suffering. Please get the book The Truth About Addition and Recovery, by Dr Stanton Peele (don't know the man and have no financial interest of any kind, just enormous respect), or others of his books in order to understand addiction and society's response. What we're doing now is not working. Insteand, it's fueling the flames of suffering, not reducing the demand or solving the problem. We can do something, but we have to know the nature of the problem first. It isn't the drugs - they could be anything - but it's the need to soothe ourselves with a dependable substance or activity and to avoid our responsibilities to one another that is at the root of it. Get the book and get off your particular dependence. It works.
The Truth About Addition? do you mean 1+2=your a moron. There will be demand as long as there are people.
Hey, Mike, don't you mean "you're a moron"? You jerk.
Well played, sir, well played. :)
Meanwhile all these problems were supposed to go away when they made it nearly impossible to get psuedophed at your local drug strore when you are pratically dieing of a head-cold. Our federal government is a peace if work.,
Try some Coliodial Silver it is much better than your cold medicine.
Don't take too much. You'll turn blue. I mean literally. You will look like a smurf. Also, it doesn't work on viruses that cause diseases like head colds.