Funny this topic should come up.
Watched "Traffic" the movie last night, Benicio Del Toro, Michael Douglas etc.
Its all about the War on Drugs in America as well.
A very interesting point was made that the U.S. DEA + Customs have a certain budget that runs into the hundreds of millions to gather intelligence, enforce their laws and protect their borders from illegal importation...
BUT
the Mexican and Columbian drug cartels budget runs into the Billions to fund their illegal operations. The US Government are effectively underfunded and outspent at every turn trying to win their "War on Drugs".
Its all Political - the war will never be won.
Harm Minimization and Education is the key.