Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that the strategy to address drug use must focus on tackling its root causes and not be limited solely to a punitive approach, following the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to declare fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction.
During her morning press conference on December 16, the president stated that the Mexican government is reviewing the scope of the U.S. measure, which includes provisions that will become law, as well as an executive order.
She reiterated that while it is essential to prosecute crimes related to drug trafficking, prevention and comprehensive attention must be central pillars of public policy.
“Our vision of how to address drug use is different. Of course, crimes must be addressed, but so must the causes of drug use; if the causes are not addressed, drugs will continue to be used,” she said.
Sheinbaum explained that drug use is closely linked to factors such as mental health issues, social disconnection, lack of opportunities, absence of values, family conflicts, and educational shortcomings, particularly among young people who turn to drugs as a way to escape their reality.
The president also recalled that fentanyl has a legal medical use as an anesthetic, and therefore stressed the need to carefully evaluate the implications of the U.S. declaration to avoid affecting its legitimate use in the health sector.
“Beyond the punitive aspect, which must be applied especially to those who generate violence through drug trafficking, the central issue is addressing the causes of drug use,” she emphasized.
Regarding the possibility that this decision could revive proposals for U.S. military intervention in Mexican territory, Sheinbaum was emphatic in stating that the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are not up for discussion under any circumstances. She clarified that there is cooperation and bilateral coordination, but never a violation of Mexico’s sovereignty.
Finally, she announced that next week the results of a national survey on drug use, prepared by the National Institute of Public Health, will be presented as part of a comprehensive strategy to address the problem from a public health perspective.
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