Mexico’s president has said that US families were to blame for the fentanyl overdose crisis because they don’t hug their kids enough.
The comment by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador caps a week of provocative statements from him about the crisis caused by fentanyl, a synthetic opioid trafficked by Mexican cartels that has been blamed for about 70,000 overdose deaths per year in the United States.
López Obrador, commonly known as Amlo, said family values had broken down in the United States, because parents don’t let their children live at home long enough. He has also denied that Mexico produces fentanyl.
On Friday, the Mexican president told a morning news briefing that the problem was caused by “a lack of hugs, of embraces”.
“There is a lot of disintegration of families, there is a lot of individualism, there is a lack of love, of brotherhood, of hugs and embraces,” Amlo said of the US crisis. “That is why they [US officials] should be dedicating funds to…
2023-03-17 14:09:32
Post from www.theguardian.com
Mexican President Attributes US Fentanyl Crisis to ‘Absence of Affection’ in Families
The Mexican President, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has recently attributed the United States’ fentanyl crisis to the “absence of affection” in families. In a press conference, he stated that “the United States has to solve its own problem of drug addiction,” but also added that “it is a problem that cannot be solved only with measures of a police or military nature, but requires addressing root causes such as the absence of affection in families and communities.”
These comments by the Mexican President have stirred up controversy among some, while others view them as an insightful contribution to the ongoing debate on drug addiction in the United States. Fentanyl has become one of the deadliest drugs in the US, responsible for a growing number of overdose deaths each year. Many blame Mexico as the primary source of the drug’s importation into the United States.
The Mexican President’s comments have caused some criticism from those who believe that the drug problem in the United States is not solely related to the “absence of affection” but rather encompasses a multitude of factors such as poverty, mental health issues, and accessibility to drugs. Furthermore, those who disagree with the President’s comments believe that Mexico should take responsibility for the role it plays in supplying drugs to the US market.
However, others agree with the Mexican President’s comments, stating that family dynamics play an important role in preventing drug addiction. A strong family unit, positive relationships, and open communication can help to prevent individuals from turning to drugs as a coping mechanism. Some argue that addressing the root causes of drug addiction, such as childhood trauma and family issues, should be a significant part of tackling the drug crisis, rather than just treating symptoms.
Regardless of the opinions, the Mexican President’s comments have brought attention to the complex nature of drug addiction and the need for a multifaceted approach to solving the issue. It is evident that the drug crisis in the United States requires a comprehensive response that addresses root causes, prevention, and treatment.
In conclusion, the Mexican President’s recent comments on the US fentanyl crisis have highlighted the need for a more nuanced approach to tackling drug addiction. While there may be disagreements on the role that the absence of affection plays in the issue, it is clear that understanding the root causes of addiction is vital in addressing the crisis effectively. Regardless of who is responsible for the importation of drugs, it is only by addressing the underlying issues that drug addiction can be tackled effectively.
