Consider the most basic supply-and-demand graph. The idea driving this graph comes directly from a Principles of Microeconomics class — as demand increases, the supply will increase. The producer responds to the consumer's preferences in schedules of quantity. This has implications in multiple domains beyond far beyond economics.

Applying this same idea to drug trafficking and consumption reveals a dark truth. America is the number one consumer of drugs in the world. In fact, in 2015, Americans represented 99.7% of the world’s hydrocodone consumption. As Americans continue to consume drugs at an increasing, tremendous pace, the supply must grow to meet demand.

Where do these drugs come from? The very same areas that thousands of migrants are coming from, i.e. South and Central America, specifically the Northern Triangle region (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras). 

A community can be totally devastated by drug use and trafficking. America experienced this during the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s, with incarceration rates increasing exponentially, the murder rate in New York City doubling from 1985-1990, and a full blown War on Drugs proclaimed by President Regan. However, this pales in comparison to the harrowing destruction that has enveloped the communities of the Northern Triangle. 

Violence has long plagued these areas, but the homicide rate has increased rapidly in recent years. In the 1980s, Americans were spending tens of billions of dollars on cocaine each year. This cocaine was being shipped through Miami, from Colombia and the Caribbean. American government officials responded by cracking down on the supply route, not on the source of the demand. Because Americans continued to create an unwavering demand for illicit substances, the American government’s response simply resulted in a shift in the location of the supplier. 

Gangs shifted trade routes to the Northern Triangle and Central America, making these areas a crucial point in the narcotic trafficking corridor to America. Narcotic trafficking inherently brings corruption, violence, and homicide — Latin America may only hold 8% of the world’s population, but the region accounts for 33% of the world’s murders.

With Heroin and opioid use at an all time high, America’s drug use shows no signs of slowing. In fact illicit drug use has increased by 8.3% since 2002. This gives gangs no incentive to stop drug trafficking- it is lucrative, and for many the only way to make a living and ensure protection from the rampant gang violence of the streets. 

Gangs have become the systems of governance in these regions of Latin America. The MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) and the M-18 (18th Street Gang) control everything from drug distribution to local police and government institutions. Through threats of violence and bribes, gangs are able to exercise control and exploit local governance structure. The police are pawns for these gangs, and there is little public trust in law enforcement.  Because gang members are not held accountable for illegal activity, local people continue to live lives dictated by fear and danger.

Weak, predatory institutions become entrenched in corruption by the unwavering threat posed by gangs, and are unable to provide sufficient protection to innocent civilians. Gangs begin recruiting members in elementary school. Children as young as 7 years old, are given an ultimatum: join our gang, or you and your family will die. In 2017, 46 girls and 311 boys were murdered in El Salvador.  There is nowhere to turn, no ‘911’ to dial- the only option is to join or flee.

Donald Trump has responded to the increased flows of migrants by reaching agreements to send asylum seekers from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, back to the very rampant violence and destruction they fled from. US assistance to Central America has declined by nearly 30% from 2016 to 2019. Our administration has failed to consider that these measures not only violate the humanity of thousands, by sending them back to unlivable ares, but also are a temporary band-aid on a much deeper issue. 

Rather than concentrating funds on building a wall to keep migrants out, we need to address the root of their displacement — our drug consumption. People will continue to leave, regardless of policy changes, their lives and wellbeing is on the line. An estimated 24.6 million Americans used an illicit substance in the past 30 days. If we truly want to end the migration crisis, we must start internally. 

Conservative politicians and the media often point fingers at these undeveloped regions, claiming they need to solve their internal problems rather than deplete our resources, our taxpayer dollars, our jobs. In today’s media, a common perception is that America’s sole role in the migrant caravan is one of a final destination, a promised land. But they fail to consider that we too, may be greatly contributing to the issues that are paralyzing these nations.

It is paramount that we understand migrating from the Northern Triangle to the United States is not an easy journey to make- it requires leaving all that you know behind and traveling over two thousand miles through unfamiliar, dangerous territory. Nobody makes this decision lightly. For every 10 murders in the Northern Triangle regions, 6 children seek safety in the United States. These people are left with no other choice. Staying means joining the gangs, it means watching your loved ones die, and it means living in a state of constant terror. 

So long as there is drug trade in these regions, there will be murder and corruption. So long as Americans continue to consume drugs at such a high rate, there will be a drug trade. As the consumer demands, the supplier supplies. At all costs. If we want to stop the migrant caravan, we must first look in the mirror.