Whack-a-mole: Mexico’s Drug Trafficking Organizations: Source and Scope of the Rising Violence

Here, for the 112th Congress, is the Congressional Research Service's analysis of the drug war in Mexico, provided to Congress. It is pretty much a recounting of facts about the cartels, the violence and the drug war strategy with no discussion of other options. It notes criticisms of Mexico's capacity to achieve success, given its weaknesses in police and justice institutions and draws the conclusion quoted below.  

Mexico’s Drug Trafficking Organizations: Source and Scope of the Rising Violence

"It may take years or decades to build effective, efficient legal institutions in Mexico that resist threats and bribery. Yet policy analysts believe these institutions are necessary before the DTOs can be reduced from a national security threat to a law and order problem."