U.S. DRUG DEMAND THREATENS MEXICO'S DEMOCRACY

Mexico's violence and institutional corruption reveal how misguided
and futile the recently approved $1.4 billion U.S. military aid
package -- known as the Merida Initiative -- is. Pouring more money
and guns into Mexico will only exacerbate the violence and corruption
that are fueled by drug profits and further deepen a conflict that
increasingly has civilian casualties.

Instead, the U.S. should focus on reducing its own demand for drugs.
Treatment has repeatedly been shown to be far more successful and
cost-effective than supply-side approaches like military aid,
eradication and incarceration. More fundamentally, the U.S. must
finally consider alternatives to its failed war on drugs.

Daniel Ernesto Robelo

Drug Policy Alliance

Berkeley, Calif.