From the point of personal freedom the only correct solution of this problem is to have unlimited freedom to use every drug under the Sun. The only little catch with this solution is that it should also come with unlimited freedom to terminate on the spot anyone who, under influence of drugs, seriously interferes with one's life. Freedom cuts both ways.
The only problem with your logic is that people are already using every drug under the sun.
I fail to see how they are a lesser threat now than they would be if they were actually legal. But, having that knowledge, if you feel a strong need to terminate them, then that is your choice. I would argue that you, in most states, already have the right to defend yourself against threats to yourself, others, and property from those who would seriously interfere with one’s life.
A relatively small fraction of a very large number of people get arrested, convicted and sent to prison. That equals a large number of people.
They are now removed from making any sort of contribution to society, and instead become a $40,000 - $100,000 each per year drain on limited resources. And before you say that they were not contributing to society, I beg to differ. I have known scores of people who take recreational drugs, and hold down good jobs, pay taxes, and participate in the overall economy.
No, none of them were junkies or meth users, or crack users.
Yes, we should try to minimize the use of those. They are illegal now, and widely available. I’m sure there is no perfect answer.
We see “Gun Free Zones” and cities that have bans on firearms, and we scream out, “Don’t you idiots know that the criminals don’t pay attentions to those laws?” And then when it comes to drugs, we become lefties, thinking “Government should fix that”. It boggles the mind.
Being in the black market, they also learn to disrespect the law, distrust LEOs. And guess who loses their civil liberties? You and I. The druggies are already living the underground culture.
The ones that have been sent to prison on drug charges, not robbery, etc, just drugs, are virtually destined to become criminals for life by virtue of their conviction. Plus, they have learned all kinds of new tricks from their fellow inmates.
Believe it or not, since Colorado legalized, the Mexican pot farmers are complaining that it is no longer profitable for them to grow pot. That means fewer hardened smugglers with AK-47’s coming across our borders. That doesn’t seem like a bad outcome.
So, yes, we can rant and rave and call them scumbags, and make ourselves feel all superior, and give the State more power to search us all. Of course, we could try thinking of them as people, some of whom make choices that we disagree with.
We can judge them from our positions of righteousness. And we can forget about complaining when we are also judged. We can also try to love our neighbor as ourselves.
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I think that's a bit extreme. But, I do think that medical care entitlements should be revoked for anyone that uses mood-altering drugs for recreation, for related illnesses.
I'd include abusive use of alcohol and tobacco in that qualifier, along with riding a motorcycle without a helmet and morbid obesity. Like you say, freedom cuts both ways: if you decide to abuse your body, then you have chosen to suffer the consequences.
I'd make one exception: a genuine effort to kick an addiction. But, while I would be fine with a second chance if you backslide, the next time I'd presume you weren't serious.