What is going to happen in Mexico as the drug lords continue to gain power?

I don’t know exactly what question to ask, I just want to discuss this topic.

What got me thinking about it today was this article. Basically people are being killed for starting a website that would alert authorities to drug violence.

Even places like Acapulco aren’t particularly safe for tourists anymore. I wonder if it’s because the drug lords would rather have live there, on the beach, than central Mexico.

Law enforcement officers are either successfully bribed to look the other way, or their families are killed.

Anyways, the drug smuggling and violence was a big problem in 2007. Now it’s 2011 and my guess is that “something” should be done. But what can be done? What is going to happen to the Mexican gov’t if the drug lords continue to gain power and influence? Should the US intervene more, and if so, what should they do?

I was wondering if legalizing the drugs might be the solution. I know narcotics are far more addictive than marijuana and (short term) alcohol, so this would add a cost to US society in the form of healthcare, education, and probably some lost productivity. But this would be weighed against the money saved not fighting the drug war and adding a tax base. Not to mention there should be a huge reduction in gang related crime, both at the border and throughout the US.