Pubdate: Tue, 22 Aug 2006 Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI) Copyright: 2006 Madison Newspapers, Inc. Contact: http://www.madison.com/wsj/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/506 Author: Michael Hopkins BORDER ISSUES IMPACT METH IN U.S. Wednesday's article regarding the attorney general race raised the question "What comes next in fight against meth?" Unfortunately, none of the candidates has the insight or political courage to address the root cause. A recent segment of the PBS series "Frontline," citing Drug Enforcement Administration sources, stated 65 percent of meth consumed in the United States comes from Mexican drug cartels. The drugs have no value until they are illegally carried across the border to be sold. Drug cartels work with gangs, such as MS-13 to handle distribution. MS-13 and other gangs also control the flow of illegal immigrants across the U.S. border. If Mexican nationals do not have the money to pay to cross, they are forced to carry the drugs across the border illegally. Thus, the root cause of U.S. meth problems is border security, which includes illegal immigration. That point should have been made last Tuesday when federal agents arrested more than 130 alleged drug traffickers and about half were illegal aliens. Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager attended a rally last spring in support of immigrants which advocated no distinction between legal and illegal immigrants, amnesty and equating human rights with civil rights. A consequence of this position, intentional or not, is being blind to the fact that some immigrants are involved in drug smuggling. It's time to see the big picture. MICHAEL HOPKINS Darlington - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath