This week a lot of media attention has been focused on the drug war going on in Mexico. Some outlets have been saying that Mexico is slowly slipping into anarachy and close to becoming a failed state. I've even read articles comparing Mexico to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Focus has obviously shifted because of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's trip south. Also this week, President Obama has been discussing sending more national guard troops to the border. The Border Patrol is even planning to spray poison on plants near the border of Ciudad Juarez as a way to kill the plants and make it easier to view bad guys coming across the border.

Back to the topic though, is Mexico a failed state?

An NY Times opinion piece says no. [The Mexican Evolution] The piece cites the established democracy and changes that have happened to the country over the last hundred years. Most notably, the author brings about points that Mexico has come across many challenges and it always comes through, trying to forshadow that Mexico will come through the drug war.

After reading the article, my opinion changes and I no longer believe Mexico is a failed state. These are rough times for our neighbor to the South. It is not the end though. And the key to getting Mexico throug this is doing our fair share. I hate to say it but Mexico's problems are because of us. The United States is the number one consumer of drugs. If we weren't addicts, the drug market would not be there. So the real question is whether America can kick its habit. Unfortunately, I will say no. Drugs, going back to the 70's, have become an established part our our culture. If you disagree, it is time to wake up. To change the culture of the countires (America as the addict, Mexico as the pusher) will be extremely difficult because it has been established for so long.

So what do we do about the Mexico drug war?