NEW YORK - BY AMERICA INSIDER - Nov 04,2023

Since 2019, drug cartels have been using the Pacific route as their preferred way to transport cocaine from Peru and Colombia to the US market. This is due to the unstable and costly situation in Venezuela. The demand for drugs in the US and Canada has increased significantly in recent years, particularly during the Covid period of 2020-2021, which has resulted in the modification and reinforcement of this complex, highly-efficient, and ultimately resilient route. The journey starts from Peru, with drug loads smuggled through the deep-sea port of Guayaquil and Esmeraldas Ecuador to Colombia, before being transported to Mexican cartel-controlled ports like Puerto Escondido. The Sinaloa cartel has emerged as the primary player on this route, controlling most of the drug trafficking into the United States. Even in Ecuador, the cartel has been increasing in strength on the ground, despite the country's previous peaceful state.

Mexican drug cartels such as Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation have found a new source of profit in the form of fentanyl. This drug is easy and inexpensive to produce, and it has an extremely addictive quality that has increased its demand in the US market. With the help of Chinese businessmen who bring precursor chemicals into Mexico, the cartels have been able to easily produce and smuggle fentanyl into the United States. The drug is especially appealing for smugglers because it can be easily shaped into any form, including mimicking legal medication. As a result, fentanyl has become a significant challenge for US federal agencies attempting to combat the flow of illegal drugs into the country.

The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated drug consumption in the United States, which has been on the rise since the 1960s. The increasing demand for drugs has resulted in a corresponding increase in drug production. In the 1960s, it was estimated that only 5% of Americans were using drugs, but by the early 1990s, the rate had risen to 37%, and today it is over 50%. This high demand for drugs has led many people to get involved in the illicit drug trade, from production to logistics, due to the potential profits.

 

As a result, drug trafficking routes have been refined or altered to keep up with demand. During the health crisis of 2020, commercial air and land routes experienced a sharp decline, forcing drug cartels to rely on maritime routes to transport their drug loads northward. This new strategy was highly successful and is still in use today, despite most Covid restrictions being lifted. The Pacific maritime route remains a crucial part of their trafficking operations.

The fight against drug trafficking poses significant challenges to governments due to the creativity and resilience of criminal organizations, their vast resources, and their propensity for violence. Despite being the largest consumers of drugs globally, the US government has been hesitant to confront the issue fully, as doing so could disrupt the trade under NAFTA. Complicating matters further is the sheer volume of traffic crossing the Mexico-US border, which is the most frequented border in the world.

 

The Mexican drug cartels have also adapted to maritime routes, making it challenging for governments to control the coast effectively. They have used small- and medium-sized fishing boats to transport drugs, while corrupting local authorities and fishermen in Central America, which is a significant part of the route. This makes it hard for authorities to check and control every vessel, leaving the US to battle a losing fight against drug trafficking, as local authorities in Central America and Mexico cannot always be trusted to combat the drug trade.

 

The social and economic cost of drug addiction is also significant. Drug addiction can lead to loss of productivity, unemployment, poverty, and an increase in crime rates. The cost of drug treatment and rehabilitation programs also adds to the economic burden. Additionally, drug addiction often has a ripple effect on families and communities, leading to social isolation, family breakdown, and community disintegration.

 

Children of drug addicts are also often affected, with some becoming orphans or being neglected by their addicted parents. The human cost of drug addiction is immeasurable, and it is a tragedy that so many lives are lost or destroyed due to the drug trade.

 

The drug trade is a complex and multifaceted issue that cannot be solved by any single agency or government alone. The problem is exacerbated by the high demand for drugs in the United States, as well as the creativity and resources of the drug cartels. The legalization of cannabis, for example, has not solved the drug problem, as it has only increased demand for illegal drugs.

The US federal government does have a role to play in addressing the drug trade, but it must be a comprehensive effort that includes reducing demand for drugs in the United States while simultaneously working to dismantle the cartels. This may require a military response, but it must also involve addressing the root causes of drug addiction, such as poverty, lack of education, and mental health issues.

 

The current administration has not yet implemented a comprehensive strategy to address the drug trade, particularly the fentanyl crisis, which is taking a heavy toll on American communities. It is important for the government to take action to prevent further devastation and loss of life from this highly addictive substance, as well as from other drugs.

 

The war on drugs has not been successful in solving the problem of drug abuse and addiction. In fact, many argue that it has only exacerbated the issue. It is also true that the pharmaceutical industry has played a significant role in the current crisis, with over-prescription and aggressive marketing of opioids leading to widespread addiction.

 

However, it is important to note that a complete ban on advertising by pharmaceutical companies may not be the best solution. There are valid reasons for advertising prescription drugs, such as informing patients about new treatments and providing information about potential side effects. Instead, regulations should be put in place to ensure that advertising is accurate, balanced, and not misleading.

 

Furthermore, while state-led action is important, it is also necessary for society as a whole to change its attitude towards drug use and addiction. This includes providing education and support for those struggling with addiction, as well as addressing the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to drug abuse.

 

In the end, solving the drug problem will require a multifaceted approach, involving not only government action, but also the involvement of NGOs, healthcare professionals, and communities as a whole.