Drug czar: Face problem internationally

By Eric Swedlund

ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Southern Arizona faces the "double problem" of drug abuse within its own communities and the devastating effects of the violent international drug trade as it slices through the region, the U.S. "drug czar" said Friday.

John P. Walters, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, met privately with law-enforcement officials before joining U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Tucson Police Chief Richard Miranda and community leaders in a forum to discuss legislation aimed at combating illegal drugs. At the core of the proposed Merida Initiative is a $1.4 billion multiyear commitment to provide equipment, training and technical assistance to authorities in Mexico and Central America.

"You pay the price for the demand for drugs everywhere north of here in the United States," Walters told the group, gathered at the Tucson Police Department's Downtown headquarters.

"When you challenge powerful criminal organizations, their result is to turn to violence. They're willing to do anything. You are not going to bargain with them. They have to be stopped and apprehended," he said.

Walters said the aid south of the border is crucial to reducing the violence associated with drug trafficking. He said Mexican President Felipe Calderón has shown a willingness to work with the United States.

"These killers, these people willing to do anything, can't be stopped by me or President Bush or Representative Giffords or any of you," Walters said. "They have to be stopped by President Calderón. Ultimately, Mexico has to solve Mexico's problem."