How Does Drug Trafficking Affect The Economy

This lecture covered illicit drug trafficking, through the use of a game. Between the early 1980’s and late 2000’s the total expenditure on cocaine decreased. A majority of meth in America has its origins in Mexico; meth was originally discovered in Japan and made its way first to Hawaii, and on to mainland United States, with the highest rates being found in the American Southwest. In regards to heroin at the seller to user level, the dealer tends to be poor, which is also something I’ve noticed as well drug dealing at the street level in reality isn’t all that profitable when comparing it with some legal 9 to 5 jobs. In the movie Get Rich or Die Trying staring 50 Cent he make mention of this when he says “ if you add up all the time spent on the corner, as well as going to jail your actually making less than minimum wage”. …show more content…
Much of the heroin in America comes from South America. Illicit drug dealing also affects the economy as well; some argue that drug sales stimulate the economy, as well as providing income and jobs for workers. Others argue that it depletes the economy through death, extortion, and suppressed earnings, but if somehow we were to completely wipe out the drug trade thousands of people would be unemployed, which would become problematic. Most of the heroin consumed in the world today originates from Afghanistan, and is also used to fund the Taliban, as well as other related terrorist organizations. I’ve literally ran across truckloads of heroin headed to Kabul for export while on patrols in Afghanistan. Professor Keel was spot on when he mentioned that it’s hard to stop something that’s been a way of life for hundreds of years, epically in countries with limited economic