Damned by Demand: Drug problem is far from Mexico's alone

DallasNews.com | News for Dallas, Texas | Opinion: Editorials: "'BRUSSELS, Belgium – South America's cocaine output rose by 2 percent last year, bucking a five-year downward trend as increases in Peru and Bolivia outpaced Colombia's clampdown on coca cultivation, a U.N. report showed.' – Associated Press, June 13

The issuance of what amounts to a commodity outlook provides harsh clarity to the civil breakdown along Texas' border with Mexico. To use business parlance, 757 tons of 'product' from one continent needs to get to market. Smuggling is the specialty of Mexican drug cartels that use narco-militias to make sure rival gangs, snitches, journalists and local authorities don't get in the way. Delivery must be assured.

'Foreign visitors and residents, including Americans, have been among the victims of homicides and kidnappings in the border region.' – Travel alert currently posted on the State Department's Web site

As more than 600 drug-related slayings are counted this year across Mexico -- most of them along the border -- American tourists are warned of the dangers of crossing onto foreign soil. Riled Mexican officials say the alert is alarmist."