There is a middle ground here, folks. Legalize some less-addictive and -harmful drugs like marijuana. Legalize possession of small quantities of others. Get rid of three strikes laws.
It's not easy, but we can work toward a compromise that recognizes both that drug use can cause harm to society, and that it often does not. We can punish people who push opioids, while leaving harmless users alone.
No matter which way you look at it, drug policy enforcement causes more harm and costs more dollars than the problem it purports to alleviate. Take a look at Portugal where all drug possession was decriminalized and drug-related crime went down.
This is not a complicated problem, the solution is clear and well documented. The only obstacle is multi billion dollar sector that exists only because of the prohibitive drug policy. That sector won't just dissolve without putting up a fight.
It's not easy, but we can work toward a compromise that recognizes both that drug use can cause harm to society, and that it often does not. We can punish people who push opioids, while leaving harmless users alone.