The US State Department has warned students not to go to Mexico during spring break since drug gangs threaten violence. Drug cartels are threatening the stability of nations around the globe, assassinating police and government officials. A record opium crop is providing funding for the Taliban in Afghanistan. Can decriminalization of narcotics be a solution? Neuroscience offers new hope to cure addition.

While Mexico is not yet officially on the US State Department’s warning list, it is fast approaching. Gangs often interrupt police radios threatening police offers. These officers are often killed in hours. The military is replacing the police in an attempt to cut down on drug violence. More than 6000 people died in Mexico from such violence in 2008.

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Bombay Bleeding - We Will Never Forget, a painting by Feroza Unvala

Charity is considered to be the act of benevolent giving. A gesture of goodwill towards the needy and suffering. Could there be any doubt that the act of bettering society is a good economic decision?

Twenty years ago, the act of charitable giving was perhaps frowned upon by companies as it affected their bottom line. Today, even in perhaps the worst economy of our times, ‘social entrepreneurship‘ has become a buzzword. Companies are looking for charitable giving opportunities as any contribution to the betterment of society makes them look good in the eyes of shareholders and consumers alike.

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