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Mexico’s drug war: Perry talks addiction
So it was perhaps somewhat surprising to hear Gov. Rick Perry bring up the issue of addiction when he was in Mexico City this week for a meeting of border governors with President Felipe Calderon.
“We were talking about some of the ways that the universities, with technology and DNA and science, can help with finding out why people are addicted,” Perry said in a phone interview as he sped toward the Mexico City airport yesterday afternoon (the governor graciously called back four or five times after his cell phone kept cutting out). Perry said the governors discussed joint research between Texas schools and universities in Monterrey.
The lack of funding for addiction treatment has been one of the chief complaints of human rights groups when it comes to the so-called Merida Initiative, a proposed military aid package to help Mexico fight the cartels. And since the Nixon administration, treatment has taken a distant back seat to law enforcement strategies. Do Perry’s comments signal a fundamental shift in drug war strategy? Probably not. But they do add another element to the discussion.
Comments
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By Bill
May 30, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
Perry can talk about addition, but it’s just talk. Perry has never before ventured into addition territory in his previous rhetoric.Perry has many problems in Texas that need to be addressed,addition being one of them. Perry and his adminsitration have little to crow about since he has been governor.Perry needs to address virtually every state agency in the state and every program,especially the health car eissue where Texas ranks 50TH in health care access.
By Gerard Farell
May 30, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
It is about time the U.S. Federal Government admits the narco-killing rampages in Latin America of the last 40 years, are to saciate the illegal substance apetite of north americans. The much hated narcotics market exists because on its demand.
By Juan
May 30, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
RAND stdy says treatment is like 25 times more effective than interdiction. Reporters, look into the death of reporter Brad Will by Mexican paramilitaries, and also who would get the $ of the Mierda Initiative goes through.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfImBQGg6RM&feature=related
By Kirk Muse
May 30, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
Addiction is usually not a problem unless the substance you are addicted to is illegal. How much caffeine-related crime do we have? None.
Criminalize caffeine and the situation would soon change.
Prohibition is the root cause of our drug problem. Re-legalize all drugs so they can be sold in legal, regulated and taxed businesses for pennies per dose. Then the term “drug-related crime” will become obsolete.
By scott
June 2, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
Do you consider DUI’s ‘drug related’? If so, they certainly still exist and alcohol is legal.
By scott
June 2, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
comparing caffeine ‘addiction’ to the likes of drugs like heroin and cocaine is laughable. I know lots of people who are ‘addicted’ to caffeine and they have no problem not having it. Try that with someone who is addicted to heroin. They wouldn’t last a day without wishing they were dead.
By David
June 3, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
Hey Scott, know any smokers? How long can they go without smoking? I’ve been told that cigarettes are even harder to kick than heroin. Did you know that no one has smoked themselves to death with marijuana but people drink themselves to death every year?
By cameroon
June 7, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
Drugs is a injurious of health. People those who consume in Alcohol that spoil our liver conditon. So Post avoid using of drugs. I want to share my comments with you.
cameroon
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By Phred
June 10, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Does ayzone know anything about the crime wave associated with Prohibition? The concept of prohibition was commendable,but not everyone who wanted a drink was alcoholic…same with narcotics. The war against speed is going nowhere; had been from day one.
By Phred
June 10, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Just as the exise tax on whisky is a cash cow, so could a similar one be on legalized & controlled — licensed, if you may — speed and coke.
By !
June 11, 2008 5:58 AM | Link to this
I would like to know what was said during the Mexico trip to instigate the mansion getting burned. No major issues for a slight more than 150 years, then The Gov. is talking to Mexico about trafficking amidst all the North/South tangibles and poof up in smoke. Someone thought he was in it.
By Gabacho
June 16, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
There will be addictions, as long as there are human beings. It’s not the will of the USA taxpayor; to give Mexico and Guatamala $150,000 million to combat drug cartels. Mexico’s crooked government has the money, but if they can get the stupid “gabachos” to pay more of their bills, they’ll let us. Jorge Bush and Ricardo Perry care more about their amigos to the south, than they care about the USA! They are vermin! We allow $80 billion to be sent to Mexico, by the illegals each year. They are able to do that; because we are all paying for their medical care, education, welfare, because our politicians don’t want their campaign contributors to have to pay fair wages. Let Calderon tax the banks where their money is sent. Screw Mexico! They are NOT our friends!
By U.C. Mi- Boot ee
June 17, 2008 7:40 AM | Link to this
Amen KiMo-Sobe!!
By premananth
August 20, 2008 7:18 AM | Link to this
Yes, we should control the Drug users. Lot of peoples and especially students are addicted for the drugs. The government should take action against Drugs and alcohol. And prevented our people from addicting drugs. The government should take action against Drugs sellers.
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