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Faces of Drug Addiction in Mexico

9:55 am By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Drugs|mexico · Comments Off

3 Oct 2007

19764355.JPG.jpg Drug addiction is a growing problem in Mexico. The New York Times has an interesting little slideshow on the personal impact that the addiction epidemic has.

See all of Jennifer Szymaszek’s photos here.

Juanes says: “Legalize it!”

5:15 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Celebrities|Colombia|Drugs · Comments Off

25 Jun 2007

Colombian rock superstar Juanes has a message for his country’s government: legalize it! Like many other prominent Colombian figures (Gabo included) Juanes believes that depenalizing drug use and sales could lead to a decline in drug related violence and mafias. According to Spain’s 20 Minutos:

“We have to start thinking about depenalizing some part of this, to try to minimize and weaken this mafia,” said the singer, who clarified that his proposal is for the long term and he admitted that his country still isn’t ready to start that debate.
“It’s been 5 decades of a war that doesn’t end, and it won’t end as long as it’s so productive.”

Expect a lot of pundits both in Colombia and here in the U.S. to have a strong opinion about this idea.

Via / 20 Minutos

Maradona to be moved to a psychiatric hospital

6:54 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Celebrities|Drugs|Sports · 1 Comment

19 Apr 2007

A couple of weeks ago we told you that soccer legend Diego Maradona had been admitted to a Buenos Aires hospital for acute hepatitis, a result of heavy alcohol consumption. Now his doctors are saying that La mano de Dios can leave the hospital, but will have to check into a psychiatric facility to continue his treatment, something that it seems Maradona does not want to do. According to his physician:

“He’s more communicative. He’s accepting things and is aware of the seriousness of his current state, but we are still trying to convince him that he needs to go to a psychiatric clinic. He can’t be convinced in one day, as he’s very “special”, said Cahe.

Colombian Vacations A Hard Sell

6:06 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Colombia|Drugs|Marketing · 5 Comments

21 Feb 2007

While many people around the globe plan vacations to exotic Latin American locales, Colombia usually isn’t one of them. According to one article, this can be at least partially the fault of the drug related crime in the South American nation or the world’s perception of that crime at the very least.

Colombia is seen abroad as a narco economy on a par with Afghanistan, and when what news reaches the world’s press is of a drug lord gunned down in Medellín or a backpacker kidnapped by guerrillas in the jungle. Colombia continues to supply America with 90% of its cocaine and 60% of its heroin. As long as these products remain criminalised, it will always be easier for the west to curse and corrupt Colombia for producing them rather than cure itself of consuming them.

Another Narcocorrido Slaying?

2:57 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Drugs|mexico|Music · 1 Comment

19 Feb 2007

Major artists in Mexico are canceling appearances at palenques across the country in fear of the wave of violence linked to narcocorridos, songs about the drug trade. Such songs have been linked to the deaths of a number of artists including Valentin Elizalde last November.

Gunmen shot to death four members of Banda Fugaz after a performance in Michoacan. A fifth member of the band was also shot but survived. No arrests had been made and the police had no immediate suspects but what is known is the fact that the band was NOT known for singing narcorridos.

Via / Fox News

Pesticides Can’t Stop This Mexican Weed

12:45 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Drugs|Environment · Comments Off

22 Dec 2006

Newly installed Mexican President Calderon may be on an anti-drug trip, but his biggest enemy may not be the trafficers but a hybrid type of marijuana that is resistant to pesticides and can be grown year round.

“These plants have been genetically improved,” said army Gen. Manuel Garcia. to a handful of journalists allowed to accompany soldiers on a daylong raid of some 70 marijuana fields. “Before we could cut the plant and destroy it, but this plant will come back to life unless it’s taken out by the roots.”

The new plants, known as “Colombians,” mature in about two months and can be planted at any time of year, meaning authorities will no longer be able to time raids to coincide with twice-yearly harvests.

Via / Fox News

Image Via / ABC.Net.Au

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