Dealing Death and Drugs

The Big Business of Dope in the U.S. and Mexico
By Beto O'Rourke, Susie Byrd
Paperback: $12.95

In response to the violence destroying Juarez, two elected officials from El Paso ending marijuana prohibition as sound public policy.

Description

The War on Drugs doesn’t work. This became obvious to El Paso City Representatives Susie Byrd and Beto O’Rourke when they started to ask questions about why El Paso’s sister city Ciudad Juárez has become the deadliest city in the world–8,000-plus deaths since January 1, 2008. Byrd and O’Rourke soon realized American drug use and United States’ failed War on Drugs are at the core of problem. In Dealing Death and Drugs — a book written for the general reader — they explore the costs and consequences of marijuana prohibition. They argue that marijuana prohibition has created a black market so profitable that drug kingpins are billionaires and drug control doesn’t stand a chance. Using Juárez as their focus, they describe the business model of drug trafficking and explain why this illicit system has led to the never-ending slaughter of human beings. Their position: the only rational alternative to the War on Drugs is to end to the current prohibition on marijuana.

“If Washington won’t do anything different, if Mexico City won’t do anything different, then it is up to us — the citizens of the border who understand the futility and tragedy of this current policy first hand — to lead the way.” — from the Afterword

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Dealing Death and Drugs will be donated to Centro Santa Catalina, a faith-based community in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, founded in 1996 by Dominican Sisters for the spiritual, educational and economic empowerment of economically poor women and for the welfare of their families.

About the Creators

Beto O’Rourke

Beto O'Rourke

is currently a candidate in the 2022 race for Texas Governor. A fourth-generation El Pasoan, he previously ran a widely popular campaign for Senate, served three terms in the House of Representatives, and two terms on the El Paso city council.

Susie Byrd

SUSIE BYRD currently serves as director to the Aerospace Center at the University of Texas at El Paso. She previously ran the office of congresswoman Veronica Escobar, and also served two terms on the El Paso city council.

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781933693941
  • Price $12.95
  • Publication Date Nov 29, 2011
  • Trim Size 7 × 5 in
  • Weight 0.3125 lbs
  • Page Count 144
  • Interests

  • Imprint Cinco Puntos Press
  • Audience Adult
  • BISAC Category 1 POLITICAL SCIENCE / International Relations / Trade & Tariffs
  • BISAC Category 2 SOCIAL SCIENCE / Regional Studies
  • BISAC Category 3 SOCIAL SCIENCE / Disease & Health Issues
  • Themes Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Nonfiction
  • Reading Levels

  • Guided Reading Adult
  • Interest Level Adult
  • Lexile Level 1350
  • Reading Level Adult
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

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