I wonder if those in authority have any respect for those overdosing? I wonder if they are secretly hoping many of those not producing and working will die? They will save a bundle of money.
I think a lot of them govern by anecdote. They had a friend or relative once who got in more trouble than the politician thought they deserved to for drug use, so the politician tries to change laws to make sure something like that never happens again - no matter what collateral damage follows.