by S. L. Wheeler

Created on: May 04, 2009

How involved in Mexico's drug problem should the United States become? Some might argue that referring to the drug wars that are currently raging throughout Mexico as a Mexican drug problem is rather naive on the part of the United States.

The United States, which is one of the largest consumers of illegal drugs in the world, is a major cause of Mexico's drug problem. Without the huge market that the United States provides for meth, cocaine and marijuana the drug war that is currently reeking havoc throughout Mexico wouldn't be nearly as bad.

The United States, along with being the number one consumer market for the illegal drugs that Mexico distributes, is also the number one manufacturer and supplier of many of the deadly assault weapons that are currently being used to commit heinous murders and terrorize many people throughout Mexico.

Many of the people involved in transporting the illegal drugs and cash across the border from Mexico into the United States are United States citizens. Many cities, especially those near Mexico such as Tucson, Phoenix and El Paso have noted an increase in kidnappings, and home invasions and many of these crimes have been directly linked to the illegal activity that is currently taking place south of the border.

Mexico's drug problem is a United States drug problem. America cannot put on blinders and act as if this problem does not exist. Every day more American cities are being infiltrated by Mexican drug cartels that are eager to establish roots here in this country.

It is about time that Politicians in this country realize that the Mexican drug problem is essentially a shared problem. The United States has no choice other than to do everything within its power to try and stop this drug war from taking over this country as it has taken over many parts of Mexico.

Recently the United States has started to take some small steps towards counteracting the progress that the Mexican drug cartels have made. The U.S. has started issuing warnings to Americans who may be planning trips to Mexico, warning them of the potential danger that they could encounter should they choose to travel to Mexico. Some may feel that these warnings are unnecessary but considering that their have been cases where tourists have been kidnapped and even murdered while visiting Mexico in recent months it seems that the warnings are warranted.

The United States is in the process of reenacting its ban on assault weapons which may help to slow the influx of deadly weapons into Mexico. Currently a majority of the weapons used by the Mexican drug cartels are manufactured in the United States and are smuggled into Mexico where they are later used to commit crimes. The United States has also increased the number of border patrol agents along the U.S. and Mexico borders in an attempt to cut down on some of the illegal drug trafficking and crime taking place in the area.

The United States is already deeply involved in the "Mexican" drug problem and once the United States acknowledges its role in the drug war that is raging throughout Mexico and parts of the United States then and only then, can it begin to do what is necessary to help put an end to the violence and blood shed that is currently terrorizing many U.S. and Mexican citizens.

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