We have always had some levels in addiction--A bad period was a result of the US Civil War (1860's). Many solders ended up hooked on Morphine.
The major efforts were the result of Nixon (1969 or so) seeing the rise in Heroin usage in several major US cities. And, an estimated 25% of the solders coming back from Vietnam with heroin addictions.
From what I had read, Nixon wanted to increase law-enforcement early, but he had a budget problem and instead, created/funded/increased (?) rehabilitation programs for the addicted--and, as I remember, it worked in a pretty cost effective manner.
Later, when more money was available, they were able to do the tough on crime / war on drugs type programs--that left us what we have now.
There are probably no safe drugs (I remember when Cocaine was thought to only be psychologically addicting and therefore not too bad). They all have pretty serious physical complications. And, if like alcohol and gambling, 10% or so of the population is genetically prone to abuse from their first use... Many can use (some types of) drugs without addiction issues (use recreationally). Some, after their first taste/use are hooked and are hooked and on a downward progression if help is not available (or even if help is available)--true for both alcohol and (I think) marijuana.
I don't know how we can become more draconian in our punishment--powder cocaine rots your nose off, heroin destroys your veins, injections give all sorts of diseases, ruins family and finances, risks jobs/jail, kills in auto accidents and overdoses, marijuana stays in fat cells for up to a month, LSD flashbacks, long and short term memory loss, etc...
A few more years in jail? Jail is already more comfortable than sitting on a cold/foggy sidewalk in SF. Death? Ruin your reputation? Drugs do this already. When we go into San Francisco, we point to the homeless and ask our daughters if they want to grow up to be a drug user...
Personally, I would address how welfare destroys families today... Makes males worthless (Uncle Sugar supplies more cash reliably), gives everyone too much free time (no workfare requirements). Males with poor to no schooling, no job skills, a culture of crime, young kids are in exposed situations (street sales, stealing, killings--juvenal will release kids multiple times on probation before first jail term, almost no chance of staying in jail past age 25 for juvenal offenses)...
Social Security Insurance / local city payments to homeless are made even if adiction/abuse is present/obvious. Food Stamps / ATM food program cards have little stigma and are convertible to cash for 50-75 cents on the dollar.
Giving money to beggars on street corners, freeway exits, squeegee men, etc.... All this (and charity/government monies) is funding the drug use, while homeless get free cloths/shelters/food kitchens/cell phones (yes cell phones) to supply their non-drug needs to the indigent.
All of the above have made Drug Use just another live-style option... In the old days, if you could not provide your own food / shelter, or follow someone else's rules (family, charity, military, prison, etc.) of proper behavior, you probably just died in the wilderness or the streets.
-Bill
now depressed for the evening...
