The Obama administration announced new stringent security measures along the border with Mexico to deal with the increasingly bloody drug war there. Since December, 2006, 10,000 people have been murdered in Mexico. Hundreds of police and other public officials have been assassinated by drug gangs. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the U.S. is doubling the number of federal agents on the U.S. border with Mexico and will provide more equipment to those agents. This beefed up border patrol aims to stem the flow of drugs into the United States as well as stop guns and money from going to drug cartels in Mexico. Quotes “[W]hat we want to do is to better secure the border area against further violence and make it a safe and secure area where, of course, the rule of law is upheld and enforced.” Janet Napolitano, Secretary Homeland Security “Drug trafficking does not operate in a vacuum. It isn't just an issue in Mexico; it's an issue in Mexico because Mexico sits next to the largest consumer market of illicit drugs in the world.” Arturo Sarukhan, Mexican Ambassador to the United States “Violence is increasing. Drug traffic is increasing. And for my ranchers and farmers and my communities that live on the border, there's a real concern about violence spilling over.” Gabrielle Giffords, Congresswoman (D-Ariz.) Warm Up Questions 1. Name three states that border Mexico. Can you name 3 that border Canada? 2. Where do most illicit drugs consumed in the United States come from? Discussion Questions 1. Many experts say that the United States is the largest illicit drug market in the world, why do you think that is true? Can you think of ways to change that? 2. The Mexican Ambassador to the United States says that he wants to “to encourage our youngsters to understand the dangers and the perils of illicit drugs.” Do you think that will work? Do you think drug users in the United States think about where drugs come from? 3. If the guns and the money come from the United States, do you think that the Obama administration has a responsibility to act in the drug war? Why or why not? 4. Is there drug violence in your city or neighborhood? How is it different or the same as the current Mexican drug war? Additional Resources Read this trasncript Drug Violence Wreaks Havoc in Mexico