JURY RECOMMENDATIONS ON COVERING DRUG RELATED PROBLEMS

1. Distrust and if possible steer away from the “official reports” both on drug issues, as well as all issues related to violence. It is information that should be included, but can not be the only informtion used to make the story

2. Humanize the problem,  show the data,  show the faces of the people, prioritisze concrete cases, instea of vaguer ones

3. Leve the box of internet and telephone as the only working methodology

4. Cite sources accurately and in context.

5.Provide figures, but do not overwhelm the reader, because they will not remeber any of them.

6.  Introduce the idea that drugs are not only cocaine, marijuana and heroin,  and invite the reader to reflect on what drugs are, lawful or unlawful, in an arbitrary manner.

7. Approach the issues with a inquisitive attitude towards the  situations of injustice  which make us wonder : why some people are spending 30 years in jail for drugs, but not the narco lords? How come  money laundering is not  punishable with the same rigor?

8. Outside of  the reality of the drug  buisness being part of the Latin American economy, broaden the subject area to encompass the impact of this new situation.What are the  effects? What kind of social systems that implies? What kind of life? What about  the drug users? What about  the children? The schools?  How about the families where drug dealing is part of the houshold  economy?