MEXICAN PRESIDENT CALDERON'S EFFORTS FAIL TO CEASE DRUG WAR

In response to the record-breaking number of 85 people violently
killed across Mexico in a span of 24 hours, President Felipe Calderon
released a 5,000-word letter Sunday defending his support and
dedication to the drug war.

The further I read into the letter, the more I realized how much of
what he said was redundant.

In the second section of his letter, "The Cause of the Problems,"
Calderon explained that the U.S. is like a "drug-addicted neighbor,"
demanding a high quantity of drugs from "the house next door."

He then went on to explain the statistics of drug use in the U.S.,
such as how many adults between the ages 18- 25 have used drugs within
the past year and how many U.S. citizens have tried any sort of narcotics.

While much of what he is saying is valid and true, I felt that
accusing the U.S. of being the "cause of the problems" was rather
immature. Yes, the U.S. has the highest demand for drugs, but the
blame should not be placed entirely on the U.S. Mexico should have
attempted to regulate crime for as long as it has been a country.

With the death toll now at a cringing high, I'm beginning to question
whether Calderon's method of terminating organized crime is even working.

I understand and undoubtedly agree with the importance of ceasing drug
trafficking in Mexico, but I don't believe that the best way to do so
was tio be so aggressive and sudden.

Although Calderon stated he is merely aiming to establish a safer
Mexico, drug dealers take it as a blatant and threatening attack --
further evoking their cruel and violent behavior.

The war on drugs would have been much more effective if Calderon were
more devious about it. If the drug busts were gradual and less
dramatic, then drug dealers wouldn't have thought to take as much
precaution or be so defensive as they are now.

Later in Calderon's letter, he expressed empathy toward the innocent
lives affected throughout the drug war, explaining that this was the
"most infuriating" part. Because the drug war was initiated in such an
abrupt manner, drug dealers are also responding in panic, explaining
their spontaneous brutal behavior. Is Calderon's process of ceasing
organized crime in Mexico really worth all the lives lost?

It seems, however, that it is too late to stop any of this. Even if
the Mexican army and officials decided to withdraw from the drug war,
drug lords would most likely continue to prove their potency by
threatening the Mexican government by using hostages, murders and so
on.

In no way do I intend to condemn Calderon's decision to act upon
organized crime in Mexico. In fact, I believe it's about time Mexico
regulated its infestation of crime. However, I have to recount the
saying "an eye for an eye." As long as the Mexican government keeps
fighting with highly damaging weapons, the drug lords will continue to
go above and beyond to survive.

Sonia Guillen is a junior journalism major and an assistant opinions
editor for the Summer 49er.