The War Against Drugs

11/30/2009

New Mexico is one of the largest states geographically, yet it is very sparsely populated allowing smugglers to ship drugs and drug proceeds covertly. This makes New Mexico a haven for the transshipment of illegal drugs from Mexico to destination points throughout the United States. Most of the New Mexico/Mexico international border (approximately 180 miles) is open desert, barren and is generally uninhabited with numerous roads, trails and ranches allowing smugglers easy entry into the U.S. and access to major interstate highways. With such easy access to drugs in New Mexico, it is no wonder that there are so many residents battling drug or alcohol addiction and the war continuing.

The state of New Mexico is critically short on jail space and has an overloaded court system. The U.S. District Court in New Mexico has the highest case load per judgeship in the nation and is the fourth busiest court overall in the United States according to 2008 New Mexico Drug Administration Statistics. Due to these increasingly soaring statistics it is obvious that the state of New Mexico is in desperate need of proven and successful drug rehab treatment immediately to help fight the war against drugs.

Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations throughout the state of New Mexico have established local poly-drug distribution organizations that are capable of distributing multiple kilogram quantities locally and regionally. In 2008, there were 602.7 kilograms of cocaine, 32.1 kilograms of heroin, 35.0 kilograms of methamphetamine and 34,080.0 kilograms of marijuana seized by the federal government according to Drug Enforcement Administration 2008 Statistics. It is apparent that residents in New Mexico have a very serious drug problem to deal with. Law enforcement agencies and the judicial system seem to be doing everything they can but their resources have been exhausted and no real progress has been made.

The drug and alcohol problem in the state of New Mexico continues to destroy individuals, families and entire communities and only seems to be getting worse. The state is in dire need of immediate help and the residents are suffering. The only real solution that is available at this point in time is successful and effective long-term in-patient drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers. According to NSDUH (National Survey on Drug Use and Health) data, approximately 39,000 New Mexico citizens reported needing but not receiving treatment for illicit drug use within the previous year. Many citizens haven't been able to find successful and effective treatment options and have given up hope that they can be helped.
 

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