HOW BIG OF A PROBLEM ARE ILLEGAL DRUGS IN THE UNITED

STATES OF AMERICA?IF YOU WERE PRESIDENT OF THE

UNITED STATES, WHAT WOULD YOU DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM?

WHAT ARE THE COSTS / BENEFITS OF YOUR PLAN?

Wednesday, December 11

After today…

Students will be able to assess the impact that the illegal drug trade has on the USA’s society.

Students will understand how the illegal drug trade complicates the relationship between the USA & Latin America.

Just say NO!In the 1980’s the

Reagan administration began an aggressive campaign to combat drug use in the USA.

Just Say No program.

Are these types of campaigns effective?

Anti Drug PSA

Anti Drug PSA

Drug Violence

Drug Trade Glorified???

Activity

Using your laptop and the search engine GOOGLE type in the phrase “Colombian Drug Cartels”

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/business/inside/colombian.html

Read a brief history of the two most infamous drug cartels of the 1980’s – Medellin / Cali cartels.

Find one Current Events article on drug related violence along the USA / Mexican border.

Kingpin

New Question…

Is the illegal drug trade a Supply OR a Demand problem???

Poor Farmer

For some people in Latin America the Coca leaf is a part of their culture.

Poor farmers cultivate the plant because it gives them the best economic opportunity – not because they are immoral people.

How could this change?

Coca Production

Read - Plan Colombia (page #162)

What is Plan Colombia?What are some of the Strategies?How does Plan Colombia contribute to

deforestation?Has this plan been an effective use of

resources?

Million $ questionWould the

legalization of drugs actually be beneficial to society? Would harsher drug laws stem the tide of illegal drugs?

Yes OR No – use 2 specific points to support your opinion.

60 Minutes

After today…

Students will be able to asses the impact that the illegal drug trade has on the USA’s society.

Students will understand how the illegal drug trade complicates the relationship between the USA & Latin America.