Mexico has removed custodial penalties for possession of personal use quantities of drugs. But many law enforcement agents along the border are upset that the change in Mexican law will make it easier for Americans to go to Mexico, purchase drugs, and bring them back across the border.

Other countries in Central and South America have taken similar steps. Brazil and Uruguay have removed jail penalties for possession of personal use quantities. Columbia has removed jail as a penalty for personal use amounts of marijuana and cocaine. The Argentine Supreme Court has ruled out jail as a penalty for marijuana possession.

Portugal has limited the penalties for possession of up to a ten day supply to treatment, a fine or probation.

If there are four things we know about drug use they are:

1. Drug use leads to addiction.
2. Addiction is a chronic disease with relapse as a common result.
3. Putting people in prison or jail does not cure the disease.
4. The cost of putting addicts in prison is much greater than treating the disease

While legalization may be a while off in the United States bills legalizing the use of marijuana have been introduced in Massachusetts and California.