November 19, 2008 11:37AM 

# Measuring “Success” in the War on Drugs in Mexico 

By [Juan Carlos Hidalgo](https://www.cato.org/people/juan-carlos-hidalgo) 

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*The Economist* had a [story](http://www.economist.com/world/americas/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12514107) a few weeks ago on the recent developments of Mexico’s war on drugs. According to the magazine:

> “At least 4,000 people have been murdered in violence involving traffickers so far this year. Officials say that is a sign that government pressure \[on drug gangs\] is having an effect.”

Their measurement of success is quite macabre; more people are dying in Mexico, including innocent bystanders who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. This would be a tragedy in any other scenario, except for the twisted logic behind the war on drugs.

In related news, the head of Interpol in Mexico [was arrested today](http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=320951&CategoryId=14091) for alleged collaboration with organized crime. I can’t wait to see how the drug warriors present this development as a “success.”

##### Related Tags 

[Defense and Foreign Policy](https://www.cato.org/defense-foreign-policy), [Constitutional Law](https://www.cato.org/constitutional-law), [Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies](https://www.cato.org/robert-levy-center-constitutional-studies) 

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