Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking is one of the most common and profitable organized crime throughout the United States. It has caused much violence and turmoil not only amongst Americans, but also in other parts of the world. According to the U.S. Customs service, over 60 million people enter the United States each year. Drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, MDMA, and methamphetamine are trafficked into the United States many different ways. People have entered the United States on “more than 675,000 commercial and private flights. Another 6 million come by sea and 370 million by land. In addition, 116 million vehicles cross the land borders with Canada and Mexico. And more than 90,000 merchant and passenger ships dock at U.S. ports” (U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency). Due to trafficking, many violent crimes have occurred that have resulted in the deaths of many people caused by drug cartels.

Mexico is one of the largest countries that play a role in the trafficking of drugs into the United States. Many incidents have occurred along the Mexico and United States borders that were caused by drug cartels in Mexico. Although Mexican government has fought courageously to limit the ability of drug cartels to do business, it has resulted in a significant amount of violence. It has been a challenge for both Mexico and the United States, but Mexico has been taking necessary steps to control the situation. According to the Assistant Secretary of State, David Johnson, “The United States is committed to support these efforts, including further steps to confront and dismantle the drug cartels that are responsible for smuggling most of the cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine consumed within the United States,”

Recent increased violence in Mexico has required the United States Government to take more steps into the protection of the U.S borders. According to President Obama, the government is intended "to make sure that the border communities in the United States are protected and you're not seeing a spillover of violence, and that we are helping the Mexican government deal with a very challenging situation." It is time for the two countries to share the responsibility of this issue and deal with it together instead of “pointing fingers” at each other (S. Hsu and J Warrick). With so many ways of drugs being smuggled in, it is tough for the government to stop this organized crime from occurring. However, with some efforts in the collaboration with other countries, it is a possibility that this crime can be prevented and the violence from drug cartels be stopped.

Hsu, S.S., & Warrick, J. (2009). U.S. Stepping Up Response to Mexican Drug Violence. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from Washington Post website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp dyn/content/article/2009/03/24/AR2009032401155.html

Kellerhals, M.D. (2009). Illegal Drug Trade Takes Lives, Ruins Societies. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from America.gov website: http://www.america.gov/st/peacesec english/2009/February/20090227170256dmslahrellek0.3142664.html

U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. (May 2004). Drug Trafficking in the United States. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from Almanac of Policy Issues website: http://www.policyalmanac.org/crime/archive/drug_trafficking.shtml

History of Popular Drugs and their Trends

Drug trends and patterns have changed throughout history. There are many different types of drugs that have developed throughout time, but the most popular drugs consist of amphetamines; cocaine; crack; LSD; Marijuana; opium and heroin. The history of these drugs date back to the 1600’s when the first “drug” was used. Not only were these drugs used for recreational purposes but some of them were used for other reasons.

Drug use began in the 1600’s when marijuana was grown by Jamestown settlers, for making rope, sails, and clothing. Marijuana was a major revenue source throughout the United States until after the Civil War. Between 1850 and 1937, marijuana was used for medicinal purposes and could be purchased in pharmacies and general stores. Due to the rise of crimes and violence caused by the use of marijuana, Congress criminalized marijuana in 1937. In recent years, the punishment of the use of marijuana has decreased and in some states has been legalized medically for people suffering serious illnesses such as AIDS.

Amphetamines were first created in 1887; and became popular in the 1920’s when it was used for raising blood pressure, enlarging the nasal passages, and stimulating the central nervous system. The drug became abused in 1930 when it was sold in an over the counter inhaler. During the 1990s, the popularity of crystal meth, a smokeable form of methamphetamines began to increase in the United States. The current profiles of meth users are students both high school and college, and white blue-collar and unemployed people usually in their 20’s and 30’s.

Cocaine, another drug used medicinally was first prescribed to soldiers in training to help reduce fatigue; it became a popular drug in the 1900’s and was used by an estimated 200,000 people. Once the drug became outlawed in the United States, the use declined. The drug was viewed as harmless until the 1985 surfacing of crack. Crack cocaine was made by cooking cocaine powder, water, and baking soda until it becomes solid and can be broken down into rocks. Although cocaine was expensive to purchase, crack cocaine was affordable and became popular in the working class and poorer neighborhoods.

LSD was accidentally discovered in 1943 and was at first only available to those who had connections in the medical field because it was only distributed to health professionals. However, LSD was not difficult to produce and the development of a black market for LSD emerged in the US. Nevertheless in 1966 Congress prohibited the possession, manufacturing, sale, and importation of LSD. In the 1970’s and 1980’s the use of LSD declined but again became popular in the 1990’s in the rave subculture.

Opiates were popular in the 19th century among women. They were first prescribed to them for the suffering from neurasthenia and other "female problems.” In 1875 opium smoking was banned in San Francisco but became popular throughout the United States. From opium, developed heroin, which was considered to be a “hip” drug. In the 1990’s heroin usage increased greatly and caused South American organizations to expand from cocaine markets to heroin.

Although these are the most popular drugs used throughout the nation, there are many other types of drugs that have been created and continue to be used. The pattern of drug use has changed as well. Some drugs are used more than others or have certain types of users. However, drug use threatens Americans of every “socio-economic background, geographic region, educational level, and ethnic and racial identity”. An estimated 12.8 million Americans use illegal drugs, and the problem with drugs will continue (NCJRS.GOV).

McCaffrey, Barry R. (1997). America's Drug Abuse Profile. Retrieved March 4, 2010, from NCJRS website: http://www.ncjrs.gov/htm/chapter2.htm

Sloboda, Z. and N. J. Kozel. (2003). Understanding drug trends in the United States of America. Bulletin on Narcotics, 55. Retrieved from http://www.unodc.org/pdf/bulletin/bulletin_2003_01_01_1_Art5.pdf

Smith, Martin, Brooke Runnett, Oriana Zill. (2000). A Social History of America's Most Popular Drugs. Retrieved March 4, 2010, from PBS.org website: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/buyers/socialhistory.html