Arizona’s three state universities are following the State Department and attempting to dissuade students from spending spring break in Mexican border towns, a traditional pastime, because of drug-associated violence there, the AP reports. One federal official called the warning “sage advice,” noting “documented violence, attacks, killings” and gunfire in public places. “Innocent people have been caught up in that collateral damage,” he said.
Students, 100,000 of whom flock from the US to Mexico every year, were nonchalant. “When I think of Mexico I don’t really think of the violence issue because usually when you’re in a resort area,” said one, who nonetheless is spending break in Las Vegas. “I feel most of the violence is in Texas,” said another student planning to drive south for break. (More Mexico stories.)