. “The illegal drug market in the United States is one of the most profitable in the world. As such, it attracts the most ruthless, sophisticated and aggressive drug traffickers.” Over the years drug trafficking has been a major problem in America. These issues have impacted our economy and our security, which drives new laws and policies throughout the United States and between our borders. Drug trafficking has created conflicts with other countries such as Mexico. “…criminal groups operating from neighboring Mexico smuggle cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, amphetamines and marijuana into the United States. These criminal groups have been smuggling heroin and marijuana across the Southwest border and distributing them throughout the United States since the 1970s.” (Policy Almanac). Drug trafficking has contributed negatively to the U.S. economy, introducing crimes that are a factor in many deaths and illnesses. The economic cost alone is estimated to be $215 billion annually, which is contributed to drug trafficking. in the United States. According to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, nearly $61 billion is expected to be used for criminal justice such as criminal investigations, prosecutions and incarceration, $11 billion is for healthcare costs such as drug treatment and drug-related costs. medical consequences, $120 billion is lost in productivity, due to the costs of labor participation in drug abuse treatment, incarceration, and premature death. As stated in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, it was estimated that full-time workers who were current drug users were more likely to miss workdays due to illness and injury. As mentioned in... half of the document... does-it-influence-the-business-and-the-economyCratty, C. (2013, March 28). Mexican drug cartels extend their reach into US - CNN.com. Retrieved November 25, 2013, from http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/03/26/drug.trends/Lewis, B.(nd). Retrieved from http://www.policyalmanac.org/crime/archive/drug_trafficking.shtml Moisse, K. . Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Drugs/drug-deaths-exceed-traffic-deaths/story?id=14554903 MyHealthNewsDaily Staff (2012, January 5). Illegal drugs cause 250,000 deaths worldwide every year | LiveScience. Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/36068-worldwide-illegal-drug-deaths.htmlVoorhees, J. (2013, November 21). North Korea meth bust: US arrests five people in drug trafficking operation led by JosephHunter. Retrieved from http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/11/21/north_korean_meth_bust_u_s_arrests_five_in_joseph_hunter_led_drug_smuggling.html