MEXICAN, US DRUG LEGALIZATION NECESSARY TO END WAR

With its current focus on the dictatorships in Middle Eastern
countries, the United States has largely been ignoring an issue closer
to home.

Namely, the "War on Drugs" raging in Mexico.

In Mexico, the term takes on a more literal definition than in the
U.S.

In 2006, Mexican President Felipe Calderon called on military forces
to handle the growing problem presented by increasingly powerful drug
cartels specializing in marijuana and methamphetamine (who have grown
so powerful and violent since the '90s that many have labeled them
insurgencies).

Rather than solve the problem, the inclusion of the military into
everyday state matters escalated the situation and, moreover,
presented a human rights conflict. In a state where the enemies are in
fact citizens, the Mexican military sometimes fails to distinguish the
innocent.

Now, with 34,000 people (including civilians, children and
journalists) dead from drug-related incidents since Calderon's
inauguration -- and a crumbling economy -- the plan is largely a failure.

In a speech made Wednesday to a convention of newspaper editors from
the United States and Latin America, former Mexican President Vicente
Fox (who also experienced failures when using military force to deal
with drug cartels) addressed many topics involved in consideration of
the drug war consuming Mexico, including violence, human rights,
legalization and immigration.

In what amounts to a political mess, Fox presents a voice of reason.
Among other things, he joins fellow former President Ernesto Zedillo
in calling for drug (specifically marijuana) legalization in Mexico.

In his speech, Fox referenced success in Portugal, where drug use has
fallen by 25 percent a decade after they were legalized.

Addressing the importance of international cooperation among Mexico,
America and Canada in his speech, Fox basically echoed U.S. Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton's sentiments on working together from her
speech in January.

Unlike the former Mexican president, however, Clinton made her support
for Calderon's drug war clear, claiming there was "no
alternative."

In fact, there is an alternative, and it's the same one Fox is
advocating: legalizing marijuana. Ignoring Portugal's precedent and
refusing to even attempt policy change is a negative trend in both
U.S. and Mexican politics.

However, even if legalization in Mexico succeeds, it won't get far
without assistance from the U.S.

Profit for drug cartels arises from the transport of illegal narcotics
to the U.S. Consequently, Mexico can't reasonably legalize drugs
without parallel policies being initiated in the U.S. If it does, the
country risks becoming a haven for drug cartels.

Supporting this initiative may be seen in some ways as a concession to
drug-runners, when it's in fact a complete dismantling of the black
market structure in its entirety.

A quick resolution of the problems in Mexico will be a boon to America
as well (especially the Southwest). With violence on the streets
causing the economy to suffer, it's hardly unreasonable that Mexican
citizens are making their way out of the country.

With greater safety and a more promising economic outlook at home,
immigration across the border -- some of it, at least -- will fall.

And so will drug-related violence.

America itself is no innocent bystander. Drugs are often paid for with
guns originating in the U.S. In addition, the U.S. plays a vital role
in the war by training Mexico's military and police.

As the largest international player in the world and a close partner
to Mexico, the U.S. must take the necessary steps to de-escalate the
war in Mexico.

Legalization is the next step for both countries -- at this point, it
may be the only choice we have left.