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Drug trafficking is a problem that can only be solved in one of a limited number of ways.

1. Change human nature so that people do not want to experience things that bring them pleasure. That is not going to happen, so let's move to the second option.

2. Educate people (and especially the young) so that they recognise that some drugs really are bad for you. Do this by telling them the truth about drugs, not that all illegal drugs are going to kill you or harm you in some way. Kids know that's not true - they have friends who take the drugs and nothing has happened to them. Tell them that, yes, drugs are enjoyable, but that (like anything else) they can become addictive, and too much can have an impact on your ability to live life as you need in order to be a properly functioning human being. Also tell them the truth about the bad legal drugs that they know they can get their hands on should they so wish and which they see parent and friends of parents using (probably) regularly.

3. Have a sensible approach to drug regulation based on an assessment of the harm each drug does. Heroin, crack and other forms of cocaine, methamphetamine and other forms of speed are generally bad and to be avoided. Nicotine is generally bad and to be avoided. Regular users of these will by and large become addicted and there will be significant impacts on both their health and longevity. There is some truth in the old adage, 'Speed Kills!' Alcohol is to be treated with respect. It can be addictive and, once it has, leads to killer diseases and is majorly disruptive to one's lifestyle. Cannabis, in its many forms, is to treat with respect as it can become psychologically rather than physically addictive, and it is related to certain psychological disorders. Those with any form of mental illness (current or past) should avoid cannabis or treat it with great caution. Generally, what holds true for cannabis also hold true for other psychotropics. By and large the laws and regulatory regime for drugs should follow this schema, which leads us to no 4.

4. Abolish the laws that make it possible for traffickers to make a profit out of trafficking. While this is not a good idea for heroin, crack, other forms of cocaine and methamphetamines, legalisation of all drugs would undoubtedly remove the motivation for trafficking. Without prohibition, there is no profit. Without profit, there are no drugs gangs and none of the related violence. At the very least, the law should remove itself from two areas.

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