Obama visits Mexico, Costa Rica

President Obama has been delivering a strong message about illegal drugs during his trip to Mexico and Costa Rica. James Blears assesses its impact.

In his final speech in front of hundreds of young students at Mexico National Antropology Museum, President Obama stressed: prevention, education and treatment, but NOT drug legalization. He also draw huge applause from a Drug War weary audience by again pledging gun legislation reform in the United States.


While suggesting that Mexico's improving economy is encouraging more people to stay home, rather than migrate, President Obama pledged THE comprehensive immigration reform bill, will by passed by the US Congress this year.


President Obama is now visiting Costa Rica, the first visit of a US leader there since Bill Clinton in 1997. Obama is attending the Summit of the Americas. He says the stronger the Latino economy, the weaker drug traffickers are. Costa Rica's President Laura Chinchilla has pointed out the nation has no Army and can't become embroiled in a drug war.

Listen to James Blears’ report: