Weekly Debate: Supply v. demand in the “war on drugs”

As we noted yesterday, Mexican President Felipe Calderon faulted “demand for narcotics in the U.S. market” as the main cause for drug gang violence in Mexico. Though Calderon acknowledged the state was being “challenged and questioned” by organized crime, he claimed that violence will continue due to “a market” north of the border.

Certainly, steady supply from Latin America and constant demand from consumers can be blamed for the illegal narcotics trade. (One can also fault government policies, but let us not digress too much).

Yet who is most at fault on the “war on drugs” – supply or demand? Is Calderon accurate in placing most of the blame on the demand side rather than suppliers? Will a decrease in demand diminish the drug trade or is there sufficient supply to maintain a lucrative business?

What do you think?

Please let us know of your opinion via the poll located on the sidebar (closes on June 11^th) and/or leaving a comment to this post.

(Last week's poll results & debate on Venezuela and the media).

Sources- The Latin Americanist, Monsters & Critics, PollDaddy

Image- The Moderate Voice