Just about all the violent crime in my neck of the woods is drug related. I’ll know we’re serious about the war on drugs when we start executing dealers.
Agree with executing dealers, but right now the pendulum has swung too far with regard to managing the crimes the users commit, society seems to have adopted them as a victim class.
But, like street prostitutes, they are victims AND offenders at the same time. They create enormous negative public utility.
When I was a libertarian, and later when I was still influenced by certain libertarian ideas, I did not pay enough attention to public utility, but I have lately come to appreciate its importance in creating a safe and sane environment.