Whats the big deal about the Drug War?

The violence of the Mexican Drug War has affected many of my relatives. About a week ago my cousin was robbed at gun point on a bus towards Jimenez. Living in El Paso just a short walk from Juarez, I got to experience Juarez in its prime full of vendors, fairs, and a lively crowd to boot. Now no one dares to walk alone or at night. The atmosphere has definitively changed since the Drug War began. Juarez is a place very dear to me and my family and its sad not being able to venture to and fro safely. I made it my goal to get informed about the Drug War and to stay on top of the latest news.