A SHARED U.S.-MEXICAN DRUG PROBLEM

In July, Mexican voters elected moderate conservative Vicente Fox of the
National Action Party (PAN) as president, ending seven decades of rule by
one political party, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).

Fox, who will be inaugurated today, offers much promise with his pledge to
build on the North American Free Trade Agreement and encourage private
enterprise.

The other day, however, Fox blamed the United States for the existence and
power of Mexican drug cartels that have corrupted his nation.

``The United States year after year blames us. Why?'' Fox asked. ``Who lets
the drugs into the United States? Who is doing gigantic business in the
United States, then sends down millions of dollars that corrupt Mexican
police officers and government officials?''

It is true that the 1994 collapse of the peso was accompanied by an
explosion of Mexican drug trafficking, and that the drug cartels have
exerted their power and influence to dominate many areas of the country,
corrupting many public officials in the process.

But Fox's finger-pointing at the United States is a time-worn tactic used by
national leaders all over the world: Blame foreigners for recurring internal
problems, and thus divert public anger that might otherwise be directed
toward domestic leaders. What both Fox and officials on this side of the
river need to do is acknowledge that each has a drug problem to deal with.

Reducing demand is the key to sustained progress in America's war on drugs.
In 1982, 23.3 million Americans reported illicit drug use. A decade later,
when the drug supply was high and prices hit record lows, 12.3 million
people reported using drugs.

Fox, however, needs to realize that the quick, easy money drug trafficking
provides doesn't just corrupt politicians and police officers. It also
diverts time, people and money away from the task of establishing legitimate
industries that are needed to bring about economic growth. Simply blaming
the United States won't help.

Fox did say that the two countries need to ``sit down ... and work this out
together.''

Yes, and the sooner the better.