Joe Blow, no pun intended, loses his/her life and goes to prison for years if caught with drugs.
Sorry, but I think you left a few things out. This only occurs if they they're caught multiple times for large quantities of "hard" drugs (i.e. drugs in CSA Schedules I and II); in other words carrying enough to be considered distributing (which is not much, granted). If you're caught with smaller quantities you usually plea out the first time for probation and a lesser charge and non-court ordered rehab or, when you're caught a second, third, fourth or fifth time, are given a chance to complete a court ordered and supervised rehab stint. You get plenty of chances not to take up space behind bars, unless you're carrying enough to be considered a distributor.
Sports players can use in the open without any fear.
OJ Mayo, Ricky Williams, Lawrence Taylor, Chris "Speedball" Andersen, Doc Gooden, and Steve Howe disagree.
And Charlie Sheen can order briefcases full of cocaine, to the point where if a cop just stopped him, or followed him for ten minutes, would get a drug bust greater than they get from the tunnel systems between Texas and Mexico. The double standard that exists is sickening.
Assuming this suitcase of cocaine story is true (which it probably is) you ignored probably cause in your scenario. I also think you're severely underestimating what a narco-state Mexico is becoming, particularly with the recent action around the border.
