Cartels could be made irrelevant overnight.

 DRUG USE SHOULD BE A QUESTION OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

A POLICY OF TOUGH LOVE FOR THE NATION

We have been in the midst of one war on drugs after another for over 50 years. The record is not much better than the other wars we have been fighting in that time. I would say that they have been simultaneous actions that began with the Viet Nam war. The majority of young men had their first exposure to drugs during their time serving in the U.S. military, before that time most never saw or were offered drugs.  Many who are still alive are still partaking of drugs. 

While drug use is a very serious problem for the nation, it may be dwarfed by the corruption caused by the drug business. Pablo Escobar, the dean of drug trafficking, responding to questions as to how he was able to create an international drug empire, stated that it was very easy, "Pay everyone here and everyone there" That was referring to political leaders and regulators. I suspect this simple answer  needed an added, or else. Take the money and be happy or refuse and suffer the consequences. Very similar to some foreign policy experts idea of diplomacy.

Eliminate the money and the cartels will evaporate, while they may move into other business, none is as steady and lucrative as the drug business. Take away the money and they lose much of their power.

This could be accomplished by the U.S. commissioning the mighty  U.S. Pharmaceutical companies to manufacture every possible drug desired by drug users and then undersell the cartels, even if they have to be free. Also U.S Farmers who are finding a weak demand for products could grow high quality, well produced hemp, poppies and coca with a permanent buyer in the US. government, who would then sell them at an uncompetitive price. untaxed and without profit to anyone but the producers. Even a lose of money by the government would be far better than the death and corruption caused by the present system, that is most likely never to ended. It would put the cartels out of business and also the economies of many south of the border countries. 

As a nation we would be better off.  When was the last time we witnessed a city mayor or other official arrested for taking cartel money, none that I can recall.  I would expect that this money goes to much higher places than mayors and police chiefs. The president and attorney generals of many south of border countries are known to be on the take, are our officials more righteous?

As for drug users, the only hope is that it becomes a matter of personal responsibility. While government rehab should be avoided, private and religious methods could be encouraged. Drug use needs to stigmatized as a bad choice, not celebrated as Hollywood has done for decades. 

Provisions would have to be made to protect children, by enforcing very strict laws and penalties for providing drugs to minors, the most vulnerable to the dangers of drugs.

Free the nation from the evils of the drug trade and hope that users will eventually survive their poor choices. Tough love indeed, love for the battement of the nation in the long run.