Stop buying drugs and the cartels go out of business.
With all due respect, I don't see it that way. The cartels are a criminal enterprise, using lots of sociopaths. If they couldn't make money with drugs, they would do other things: kidnapping, extortion, violent robbery ( think armored car, banks, cash at casino's, sports venue's, etc), etc. etc.
They are a violent, merciless group of outlaws.
I don't know how much truth the movie ( and novel ) "Lonesome Dove" projected. It portrayed most folks as being decent, etc, much like folks are today. It also showed some folks who were truly evil, and who went about their evil ways until eliminated. I think it portrayed things pretty well as they were back then, and things are similar today;
I like the quote " You know the rules...ride with outlaws, hang with outlaws".
Mark