Blog Post #5: Drugs in Central America

A U.S. Senate Caucus report on International Narcotics Control suggests that Central America is at a dangerous crossroad due to its high numbers of illegal drug trade. The leading factor of Central America’s involvement rests in their location, which links the Andean nations (Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru), the world’s largest regional cocaine producer and the United States, the world’s largest consumer.

The area has also seen more growth in drug trafficking since Mexico has become stricter on drug trade, forcing illegal traders to search for an alternative path. Consequently, violence has become more rampant in Central America than in Mexico, taking the lead as one of the most dangerous places in the world. Even as monetary pledges have been made from the United States, the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank, providing relief assistant to battle the traffickers will take a reasonable amount of time. The money must be allocated, equipped to be delivered, workers must be trained, and many unknown obstacles may be faced before any direct improvement will occur.

Besides financial help, educating people in Central America and the United States of the dangers and health risks of ongoing drug use could prove to be beneficial. In 2010, Honduras saw 77 murders per 100,000 citizens as opposed to 18 per 100,000 in Mexico. As crime and corruption have both increased with the ongoing illegal drug use, it is vital that these changes occur quickly before more harm is done. Many have suggested that Central America comes together with a collective effort in resolving the issue rather than acting as individual states.

Combating illegal drug trafficking and use is a major social problem because of the number of people it effects. Innocent people who are unaware are endangered by the activities happening within the same vicinity as their homes or workplaces. Families and children of the drug cartels are often targeted when money is owed. Although illegal drug activity is widespread in Central America, it is a global problem because it is not limited to these countries.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-farnsworth/lets-stop-conflict-drugs-_b_985996.html?ir=World