The violence associated with drug trafficking in Mexico and Arizona is escalating. Last week an Arizona rancher was murdered. Every week another person in a Mexican border town is murdered, including new threats to Mexican police and military. It is frightening to us as nearby neighbors, and even more so for those who live closer to the border – in either Country.
Law enforcement and Homeland Security representatives are working to eliminate the threat through protection and interdiction. But their work is simply not enough.
The only sure way of stopping drug trafficking violence is to stop drug abuse. The way to stop drug abuse is two-fold: recovery for those already addicted, and prevention for those who are not yet addicted.
When we talk about prevention, most people presume we are talking about educating children about the risks of drug abuse. And a portion of what preventionists do IS aimed at children. Adolescents and pre-adolescents are quite vulnerable to the enticement of risky behaviors like experimenting with drugs. All adults need to clearly describe the risks to young bodies, brains and lives if they choose to try drugs.
But the larger portion of what the Casa Grande Alliance does is aimed at adults. Adults maintain and control the environments where children come in contact with both legal and illegal drugs. Adults role model behavior for children, including their own ‘recreational’ use of drugs. Adults show and tell children what is appropriate through their conversations, music and the television shows they watch.
So if you hate the drug-related violence we see in the newspaper, web, and t.v. news every day; if you have loved ones in Mexico and you worry for their safety; do something about it. First, we must purge the drug use from our own homes by setting high standards of sobriety for family members and ourselves. Next, we must help addicts get into recovery programs. Next, we must regain control of our streets and neighborhoods by reporting dealers. And last, but certainly not least, we must support drug prevention education efforts in our communities with our time, our talents and our finances.
If we eliminate the demand for drugs, we eliminate the need for drug dealers.
