Drug trafficking along the u.s-Mexico border RWS 1301 By: Yazmin Guillen

Why drugs were first used Marijuana: medicinal drug from 1850 to 1937 and could be purchased over the counter in pharmacies and stores. It became an alternative to alcohol after the price raised in 1920. Amphetamines were given to soldiers during World War II to combat fatigue and improve endurance and mood until the dangers of it were discovered.

Cont. Cocaine became very popular when it was used in Coca Cola and in medicine. Opium which is what creates heroin became popular to smoke when Chinese laborers came to America in the mid 1800's and was used as a pain reliever by women.

Why it is now trafficked into the u.s Drugs are brought into the U.S. mainly from Mexico because of the extremely strict laws the United States has about production of them here. Many people became addicted to these drugs when they were legal and sought to obtain them secretly when they became illegal and continued to use them. Cartels in Mexico know that people in the United States are addicted to drugs and begin mass distribution into the U.S.

Cartels in Mexico know that people in the United States are addicted to drugs and begin mass distribution into the U.S. They make so much money and even though they know the risks, they continue to sell it.

How does drug trafficking affect border communities When people are use to seeing drugs, especially when they are fresh off the border, they think it is normal. Not only do adults buy it, but even teenagers have begun to buy it and it creates a different culture in communities that many people begin to fall into.

Other effects Addiction is becoming worse spreading from the southern border to the rest of the United States Many believe it is not a problem but cartels are spreading into more cities in the United States.

People are dying every day of overdoses because of all the chemicals in the drugs. People are also dying of diseases or sicknesses that they get from doing these drugs.

Because Americans buy all these drugs they are encouraging more cartels to come into the United States which also raises the crime rate.

Possible solutions The government could train more dogs in the K-9 unit to sniff for large amounts of chemicals. Some of the military should be sent to the borders as more back up to be able to crack down on catching more of these drugs from passing through the border. The government should make it more difficult to pass through borders by restricting times on when people can pass through borders unless it is a special situation such as school.

Making marijuana legal throughout the entire nation could help because many people will settle for that because it is not as dangerous as other drugs and cartels in Mexico would take a big hit if they could not sell it anymore.

Sources https://casapalmera.com/the-history-of-illegal-drugs-in-america/ https://familycouncil.org/?p=11795 https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death- rates http://www.oddee.com/item_96498.aspx