What drug are the drug wars about in Mexico and the Southern States?

cocaine is the main problem in mexico and the southern states, there are drud rings stemming form these areas in to many countries around the world importing vast quantities of cocaine, it is predicted that only a small percentage of the volumes coming in to each country is apprehended. there are marijuana trafficking wars as well, to say prohibition made lawbreaking worth it is incorrect as it is not the thrill of breaking the law it is about supply and demand the public wants it and someone has to supply it, this causes gang division and ultimately war. there are countries that have legalized the sale of marijuana and more how have it regulated for medical purposes, however if the sale of marijuana is legalized the demand will be for something else and all those gangs will move on to that. Gangs don't simply stop because one need is gone, they generally have fingers in many pies, and reducing the 'pies' (so to Speak) may escalate the problems as there will be less avenues for the drug gangs to gain money and power. its hard to say.

Simple. Money and power. Funny how the USA looks down on Mexico because of this, given that

a) money and power also motivate a lot of behavior in the USA, both legal and otherwise

b) a HUGE part of the demand for mind-altering substances comes from the USA

c) American history indicates quite clearly that the American "culture" ADORES mind altering substances, and to make them illegal, simply creates a large black market. Obviously it does not stop their use. The sooner we collectively recognize and integrate our "dark sides" the sooner we will grow up as a nation. So far the jury is still out on that item. We really like to idealize our own self-image, that's for sure.

d) the best evidence supporting my argument is Prohibition. The religious Right in this country had gotten laws passed that made the entire country "dry" such that use, manufacture and trafficking of ANY alcoholic beverage was a Federal crime. The Mafia became a major economic entity as a result and it continues to exist contrary to statements of the head of the FBI before he died. Secrets went with him, probably the accurate story of who killed the Kennedys, went with him.

lots of weed but also cocaine and heroin.