[socialismisinsidious]

"In taxing the drugs, we could recoup at least some of the money we lose on these lowlifes"

I live in Pittsburgh too and felt the same way when I heard the stories, but I'm not sure we would recoup cost. How long before the bleeding heart liberals would demand clinics (Canada has these) where druggies can go and get their fix for free? The social services wouldn't be stopped for these addicts....they would still be considered as having a disease so the welfare would continue to flow. How long before lawyers would step in and the druggies would demand "rights".....rights from transportation to clinics to the right to stronger kick (I'm sure a lawyer could come up with many more "rights")How many lawsuits would result from passing the responsibility via legalization...lawsuits b/c of actions committed by the druggie when your "drug bar" sold him the drug? the list is endless.....

I'm not sure that the social and material costs would be less with legalization.

[fatnotlazy]

You are probably right. Leave it to the powers that be to louse up a good money-making proposition by spending still more money. I should know better. :)