Mexico Must Sustain Drugs Legalization Debate

Reno Gazette Journal reports that Vicente Fox, a former president of Mexico openly stated that legalization of the drugs trade in Mexico would break the power of drug selling organized criminals. It is clear that the series of drug wars that Mexico and a number of South American countries have had did not wipe out the brutal traffickers but instead led to far too many deaths that were altogether avoidable. As I have stressed here, this hardware approach to fighting drug production and sale sounds good for moral absolutists but it has been demonstrated to be impracticable when balanced against social safety and freedom.

While a reversal of drug prohibition policy will not necessarily wipe out all the costs of drugs use, it will definitely save many Mexicans from the effects that arise from high profits being sought by illegal drug sellers. Whatever one's moral persuasion, Mexico's president should take the opportunity to follow up the discussion opened by a predecessor and advance debate to prepare for ultimate reform. The picture described by the Economist Magazine here means that Mexicans who neither consume nor trade drugs will continue to bear the cost of a politician's intransigence. And as implied, the drug gangs have the wherewithal to last for long. Saving lives and restoring peace should not be seen as succumbing to criminals but rather bowing to the force of reason.