Do you know what the income is for the drug cartels in South America from the world market? And you think that the United States is the one and only market? Or even the leading market?
I hardly think so. I know that Canada has a substantial heroine problem. That Mexico does, too. So do Italy and France. So does...it's a global problem.
People are responsible if and when they use, yes. But I consider, just as does the U.S. Justice Dept., that those who manufacture, transport and deal in drugs to be far more culpable for the ghastly problems created by narcotics (mostly) (but all street drugs, specifically) than I do the individual user.
The individual user has to deal and contend with their addictions and ruined lives (if they are lucky enough to try to). The manufacturer and transporter and dealer have to deal with corrupted souls: their own. They get the heaviest hand of the law when penalized because they deserve it.
South America had/has greater natural resource wealth than has/had North America and yet look what they've not developed but have opted, instead, to do: growing coca plants and chewing their product (hey, no "druggies" in Bolivia, just entire generations over centuries who are addicted to chewing coca leaves and now have taken to drinking a brew made from them). They sound like the epitome of, poster children of, "druggies." All they can manage is being slaves to the drug, grow that drug, haul that drug, use that drug, sell that drug, make more of that drug, eat more of that drug, smoke that drug, haul that drug, sell it again, go home and boil some more up, smoke it, eat more, grow more, sell more...
And that's been going on down there for generations. No "druggies" in Bolivia?! Hey, think again. What do you think their one and only item is on the international market? Drugs.
Bolivia is the epitome of just what it means to be "a druggie." A nation of them. A leader of them. Bolivia should just change it's name to "DRUGSAREUS." I bet they can't spell it without laughing at "the stupid Americans."
Please if you are ignorant of the facts don't go on attacking the people in Bolivia who don't use coca or support Evo Morales. If you didn't know, the coca leaf is not considered a drug but an ailment to many poor people who live not only in Bolivia, but other parts of South America. Poor people in these countries use only natural remedies because they can't afford a doctor or dentist. Of course there are people who abuse the coca leaf. There are "druggies" in every country, including the U.S. Don't be ignorant to go on thinking that every Bolivian uses coca. They don't. I've been there and other parts of South America and can stand by what I say.