The United States and Mexico are trapped – economically, culturally, politically and because of drug crime – in the same continent.

About Barry McCaffrey

Barry Richard McCaffreyis a retired United States Army general and current news commentator, professor and business consultant who served in President Bill Clinton’s Cabinet as the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. He received three Purple Heart medals for injuries sustained during his service in the Vietnam War, two Silver Stars, and two Distinguished Service Crosses–the second-highest United States Army award for valor.

More about the author

More quotes from Barry McCaffrey

I’m a professor of national security studies, and I know a lot more about fighting than Rumsfeld does.

Barry McCaffrey

United States Army general

The United States and Mexico are trapped – economically, culturally, politically and because of drug crime – in the same continent.

Barry McCaffrey

United States Army general

If you want to fight a war on drugs, sit down at your own kitchen table and talk to your own children.

Barry McCaffrey

United States Army general

Thank God we’re going to try to continue and effectively defend our frontiers with the Border Patrol, with the Customs Department, with the Coast Guard, with the Armed Forces.

Barry McCaffrey

United States Army general

Colombia is in a risky position. They’ve got a peace process that’s going nowhere, and a drug production problem that’s skyrocketing.

Barry McCaffrey

United States Army general

We have 1.8 million Americans behind bars today at Local, State and Federal level. In the federal system, which has doubled in the last ten years, over 110,000 people behind bars in the Federal system, probably two-thirds are there for drug related reason.

Barry McCaffrey

United States Army general

What happened? The Country got sick of it and said, Enough is enough. And all over the Country we saw springing up community organizations determined to do something about this terrible menace of drugs.

Barry McCaffrey

United States Army general

So at the end of the day, our number 1 goal, our top priority, is to motivate American youngsters to reject the abuse of illegal drugs, tobacco and alcohol. All three of them are illegal behaviors.

Barry McCaffrey

United States Army general