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The making of Narco bosses: hard drug dealing crimes among Mexican students

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Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the predictors of hard drug dealing crimes among Mexican students. Tests of difference and ordinal regression were employed to explore group differences and predictors of hard drug dealing crimes. The sample included 14,306 last-year high school students nationwide. Results show that 3.5% of the students surveyed admittedly reported to have been involved in a drug dealing crime of an illegal substance different from Marijuana. Several factors were found to decrease the odds of a student to get involved in a hard drug crime. Federal policy implications and solutions are provided.

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Notes

  1. In Mexico, compulsory education is divided in two steps: primary (elementary) school, comprising grades 1–6, and junior high (lower secondary) school, comprising grades 7–9. After that, the high school level (upper secondary) comprises grades 10–12 when the students use to be 15–17 years old.

  2. Database is downloadable at: http://www.presidencia.gob.mx/base-de-datos-de-fallecimientos/

  3. Unfortunately we do not know which illegal substance was dealt.

  4. This survey was based on a stratified two-stage sample. Educational institutions with probability proportional to the number of schools were selected in the first stage, from a listing of eligible schools provided by SEP. The second stage consisted of the selection of groups of each grade.

  5. SEP sent an invitation to the principals to inform them about the survey. In addition, the teachers of the selected schools were commissioned to inform parents and students on the survey. Also, SEP send to parents printed information about the survey and how would participate his (her) son (daughter) in the survey. Teachers accompanied the students while responding the survey.

  6. Federal High-School Scholarship Program.

  7. Construye-T2 Federal Program

  8. Implemented by Mexico City’s Ministry of Social Development.

  9. It also has specific programs directed to children aged 10 to 14 years old, homeless kids, and indigenous population who also lack the means to attend school.

  10. National Public Health Program of 2007–2012. There is only one reference to alcohol consumption in the Program for the Public Health Sector (page 21).

  11. There are 14,000 operating groups associated with AA in Mexico.

  12. The National Public Health Program does mention a national addiction prevention program across states and public policy areas (i.e. Programa Intersectorial de Prevencion y Combate contra las Adicciones) which will be developed in coordination with the states. However, to date, we have no information of the implementation of such program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Economic Research and Education (CIDE), Carretera México-Toluca 3655, Col. Lomas de Santa Fe, 01210, Mexico, D.F., Mexico

    Carlos J. Vilalta

  2. Tecnológico de Monterrey – Mexico, Calle del Puente 222, Tlalpan, 14380, D.F., Mexico

    Juan M. Martinez

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  1. Carlos J. Vilalta
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Correspondence to Carlos J. Vilalta.

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Vilalta, C.J., Martinez, J.M. The making of Narco bosses: hard drug dealing crimes among Mexican students. Trends Organ Crim 15, 47–63 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-011-9144-y

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