The Mexican Drug War

by Courtney Farrell

Overview

This title examines one of the world's critical issues, the Mexican drug war. Readers will learn the historical background of this issue leading up to its current and future impact on society. Elements of Mexico's drug war such as cartels, police and government corruption, kidnappings, and The United States's involvement are discussed in detail, as are the drugs that are traded such as marijuana, opium, heroin, methamphetamine, and ecstasy. Issues related to drug use such as child neglect and abuse, low user achievement, meth mouth, disease transmission, and its affects on children including their recruitment into cartels are covered. Legislation and programs to address drug use, such as the Merida Initiative, Controlled Substances Act, the use of paraquat, and the argument to legalize drugs are introduced. Engaging text, informative sidebars, and color photographs present information realistically, leaving readers with a thorough, honest interpretation of Mexican drug war. Features include a timeline, facts, additional resources, Web sites, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. Essential Issues is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781617876592
Publisher:	ABDO Publishing
Publication date:	08/01/2011
Series:	Essential Issues Series: Set 3
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	6 MB
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

Editorial Reviews

Mexico is experiencing a bloody war that pits ruthless drug cartels against one another and the national government. The violence attendant to the drug war in Mexico is staggering to think about. For example, the city of Ciudad Juarez, directly across the border from El Paso, Texas has experienced up to 300 murders a month since the drug wars started. In the past few years more than 37,000 men, women, and children have been murdered by opposing cartels in a conflict that seems to have no end. Fueled by greed and vengeance, the Mexican drug war has spilled over into the United States as well. The enormous profits connected with illegal drug trafficking combined with high demand for these substances in the United States have drawn cartel members across the border. This development has resulted in increased drug violence in the US. It is the sad story of corruption, violence, and brutality that writer Farrell tells in this volume in the illustrated "Essential Issues" series. Farrell does a first rate job of tracing the roots of the drug wars. As Farrell notes, a combination of poverty, misgovernment, and hopelessness all contribute to the ongoing violence. In addition the author highlights policy issues such as drug legalization in telling the story of efforts to eliminate the power of the drug cartels. This is a grim story that features murder, kidnapping, assassination, and seeming futility on the part of the governments that stand in opposition to the cartels. However, it is also one that can easily be overlooked and therefore is a story young readers should be familiarized with. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck

Children's Literature - Greg M. Romaneck