An Incomplete Narrative

What does drug consumption in the United States (U.S.) look like today? This is a question that needs to be addressed not only by the U.S. population and its health officials, but by its politicians as well in order to pursue adequate enforcement efforts and choose the best strategy to fight drug use and stop it from being such a lucrative business for organized crime.

While the U.S. helped militarize Mexico, both by illegally smuggling weapons down the border and by providing financial resources (Iniciativa Mérida) to the Mexican government and army, the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) survey reported that drug use is actually at its highest level among the U.S. population. Is militarization the best measure to fight drug cartels?

The NSDUH is an annual survey sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and unsurprisingly it came up with very grim numbers for 2009. According to the survey, in 2009 an estimated 21.8 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) illicit drug users. Past month means that they consumed an illicit drug during the month before the interview. This represents 8.7 percent of the population aged 12 or older. The study considers as illicit drugs marijuana/hashish, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines, to name a few. The rate of past month drug users increased from 8.0 percent in 2008 to 8.7 for 2009.

Marijuana, which is produced and transported by Mexico, is the most commonly consumed drug. The number of its users has been steadily rising, not decreasing. In 2007, 14.4 million (5.8%), drug users increased to 

15.2 million (6.1%) in 2008. But it increased more in 2009 with 16.7 million (6.6%) users. The 2008-2009 marijuana use difference represents a 40 percent increase which is pretty alarming considering that marijuana legalization is underway at least in the state of California, opening the possibility for other states to follow following its footsteps, encouraging marihuana consumption. 

Especially if we consider that studies show that most people who are not marijuana consumers are discouraged only because it is illegal.

 

According to the CRS report, 90 percent of the cocaine consumed in the U.S. transits Mexico. The NSDUH, in terms of cocaine use reports that there were 1.6 million cocaine users aged 12 years or older in 2009. The estimates are pretty similar to those of 2008, slightly higher, with 1.9 million consumers. For such a small difference, is it worth the trouble? Does that small cutback of cocaine users in any way come close to the cost of more than 28,000 drug-related deaths since president Calderon declared a war against cartels in 2006?

The number of past month users of methamphetamine also increased since 2008, from 314,000 users (0.1%) to 502,000 users (0.2%). This is a 60 percent increase between 2008 and 2009, and therefore a promising market for drug cartels involved in methamphetamine production and sales. By the way, according to the 2007 CRS Report for Congress, methamphetamine is produced mostly by Mexican cartels, just across the border. The report says that the National Drug Intelligence Center reported that American gangs such as the Latin Kings and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) buy methamphetamine from Mexican drug cartels and distribute the drug in southwestern U.S.

With the exception of cocaine, the use of drugs like marijuana, hallucinogens, psychotherapeutic drugs, and methamphetamines grew. Drug users aged between 12 and 17 years increased, as well as drug users aged between 18 and 25, especially concerning marijuana use (16.5 percent in 2008 to 18.1 percent in 2009.)

It is very alarming too, that according to the NSDUH, almost half of the population aged 12 to 17 declared in 2009 that it would be “fairly easy” or “very easy” for them to obtain marijuana. Why isn’t the U.S. doing something to stop this easy access to drugs?  Also, in 2009, 77 percent of youths reported having seen or heard about drug or alcohol prevention messages outside of school, which is lower than in 2002 (83.2%). The number of school-enrolled youths reporting hearing this kind of prevention campaigns in school also declined during this period from 78.8% to 74.9%. It does not make sense that with a higher prevalence of drug use, prevention campaigns are declining rather than strengthening in order to fight the trend.

In all of this I wonder, why is the drug war narrative always cut in half, with Mexico as the leading figure of the drug war and the U.S. portrayed as a casual bystander or the victim or the judge or the necessary savior? Drug use is on the rise, prevention campaigns in and out of schools are declining, and the violence across the border is unbearable. More weapons, vehemence and militarization will perpetuate violence and vengeance, not defeat them. A strategy that demands drug prevention programs, campaigns, treatment and support is imperative in order to undermine drug cartel’s profits and win the war.

Ana Johnson

   Lic. en Estudios Internacionales 
Universidad de Monterrey