A lesson learned
“Drugs kill.” How many times have we heard this tiny, but full-of-truth phrase? Maybe since before President Richard Nixon launched his War on Drugs initiative. Although we have repeatedly listened to it, not many are aware of the dangers illicit substances represent — especially our youth.
For some, the approach has been an attack on smugglers and dealers, while others have taken in recent years a different perspective through the legalization of marijuana. Regardless, the risk of losing one’s life as a consequence of controlled (or uncontrolled) substances is as real as it was in past times.
Just see what occurs south of our border fence. The remainder of the Sinaloa Cartel, once led by Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has incurred into a war against the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG in Spanish, for the control of the Mexicali area. This is the reason why we have read about burned bodies left in rural areas and individuals shot dead in Baja California’s capital city.
Unfortunately, drugs are not only dangerous for those who abuse them or sell them off on the streets. For many years, teenagers have been used by drug smugglers to cross small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine into the United States. These minors are caught and convicted for crimes that ruin their lives. But they are not the only victims.
A few weeks ago, two mummified bodies were found near the Mexicali Airport. The corpses were located hundreds of yards north just under a tree. State detectives launched an investigation that, as of today, is leading toward the identification of the victims. According to authorities, one of the dead individuals was a 17-year-old Calexico boy. The local high school student died just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Both victims were reported missing back in December and little was done to find them since. Christmas and New Years’ passed for anguished relatives during this time until the next of kin was reported.
On a personal note I can assure readers I was unable to hold my tears while gathering information for that story. As a father of teenagers, it is hard to imagine the pain and sorrow suffered by the young victims’ relatives. Witnessing the end of life at an early age must be unbearable.
Many of our youth, right after reaching 18, and sometimes before that age, cross the border to take advantage of the fact that in Mexico they legally turn into alcohol purchasers and can access bars. But the truth is crime has become a real, tough issue in Mexicali. While authorities say they are doing their best effort to address the issue, anyone can become a victim of a robbery or assault in an instant. And our youth are particularly vulnerable.
As adolescents, one can think none of that would happen just by taking appropriate precautionary measures. But the reality is that criminals are around the corner, in front of you, on the taxi cab, attending bars or anywhere.
As a parent, I just hope the recent, painful death of one of our young people turns into a lesson many other teenagers learn for their own safety.