Policy Against Drug trafficking and violance (Term Paper Sample)

Topic: Policy against Drug trafficking and violence
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Political Science
Topic: Policy against Drug trafficking and violence
The best long term solution towards eradication of drug trafficking is tackling corruption within state institutions. Even though there exists no guaranteed solutions to fighting corruption, policies that enhance monitoring of government security and financial institutions must be put in place to deter government officials from taking bribes from drug cartels (Kilmer 2006). It’s also important to tackle the problem of economic inequality and low mobility in Mexico and Columbia. The long term solution to this problem would be to increase government expenditure on education. The government should invest significantly in infrastructure, health and education (Cornelius & David 2007). Thus both countries should be granted foreign aids, loans and direct foreign investments from the international community to tackle corruption. This is a long term goal that is achievable if the problem of corruption is tackled. Citizens of Mexico and Columbia engage in narcotic trade due to low profits in the legal trade. In order to achieve better remuneration from legal jobs, Mexico and Columbia’s agricultural sectors must be well funded to promote farming of legal agricultural products (Caulkins 2001). This is achievable through provision of subsidies and guarantees for price fluctuations to farmers in the legal agricultural sector. In the short term, the international community should offer security reinforcement to help the two governments to contain war against and between drug trafficking cartels. The capacity of anti-narcotic security apparatus manning borders and trafficking routes should be enhanced (Rios 2010).
Tackling the demand rather than the supply of narcotic trade is an effective drug trafficking counter strategy as it significantly reduces sources of income for drug trafficking organizations (Levitt 2000). To achieve this, the US should establish a legislative framework, institutions and regulations that would facilitate transition of addicts from the illicit trade into the healthcare system. This will have a consequence of reducing demand for illegal drugs, diminishing drug prices and in the long term undermining the financial stability of Drug Trafficking Organizations.
Decriminalizing or legalizing possession and personal consumption of cannabis. Cannabis alone accounts for over 60% of the total revenues of the illicit drug trade (Cornelius & David 2007). Eradication of prohibitionist policies that have caused social maladies such as incarceration of addicts, violence and corruption would profoundly decrease the demand for drugs. However, decriminalizing drug use could as well have a negative impact of degenerating the drug addiction menace. Hence, the US ought to review its anti-narcotics policies that perpetuate massive incarceration of drug users. The US should institute domestic policies with a goal of reducing drug consumption through youth focused campaigns as a preventative strategy as they constitute the largest affected population (USGAO 2007).
Another fundamental counter strategy would be to redirect anti-narcotic trade repressive policies to unrelenting crackdown on organized crime (Caulkins 2001). The current drug trafficking policies should be reviewed to ensure that they deal with the most heinous impacts of organized crime including violence, state corruption, money laundering, arms trafficking and cartels competition over control of trade routes (Spagat 2009). Given the global nature of narcotic trade, domestic anti-drug trafficking policies should be reviewed alongside repressive policies geared towards eradicating the cultivation of illegal drugs in the countries of origin (USGAO 2007). These policies must incorporate alternative economic programs that would see farmers transition from cultivation of drugs to cultivation of viable cash crops. These policies should also envision a wide range of alternative economic empowerment programs in both Mexico and Columbia. Ultimately, both countries should continue with their endeavors to eradicate drug trafficking cartels while remaining cognizant that a viable domestic economy, an equipped justice system, a well funded educational system and cooperation with the international community are critical components of fighting drug trafficking (Spagat 2009).
Works Cited
Caulkins, Jonathan P., and Eric L. Sevigny, “The U.S. Causes but Cannot Solve Mexico’s Drug Problems,” in Tony Payan and Z. Anthony Kruszewski, eds., A War That Can’t Be Won: A Journey Through the War on Drugs, 2001. Tucson...