America and the Mexican Drug War

            America is to blame for Mexico's recent splurge of violence related to the drug wars happening between competing cartels to supply America's insatiable appetite for drugs. It is a bold statement that challenges the even definition of Mexico's economy, our classical and conservative view of the demonization of Mexico's culture, and the reputation of America itself.  One has to go past patriotism and look at humanity as a whole being struck by the increasing violence. Where do the drugs that America consumes come from? If drugs are illegal why do they keep on passing the border? Why can't America supply for their own drugs? Is America supplying the very gun power that cartels use? Are the cartels coming to get guns to America or are we supplying guns directly to them? Illicit drug use in America has been increasing. In 2012 an estimated twenty-four-million Americans had used and illicit drug in their past month. This represent an up of eight percent since 2002 (NIDA). Likewise, in Mexico, the number of deaths in 8 years surpass the number of the deaths in the war of Vietnam that lasted 10 years (La Jornada). Who is to be held responsible?.
             The first anti-drugs laws in America were directed to the person who used the drugs, not precisely to the drug itself. Drug prohibition has all to do with who uses the drug and who is associated with it instead of the general harm that it does to society. It is not based on any scientific argument as to what degree of harm it does do the human body either. The first anti-opium laws were directed Chinese immigrants that took a huff at their pipe after a long day working in the railroads. The first anti-cocaine law was directed to black men in the south in the early 1900's. Also, the first anti-marijuana laws were directed towards Mexican migrants and Mexican Americans (Drug Policy Alliance). The first time the term War on drugs was first used by President Richard Nixon in June 1971 (The Guardian), he increased the use of federal drug control agencies when after the 1960's drugs became a symbol of youth rebellion and social upheaval.