Imagine two heroin addicts with the same habit (use quantity). One is an ordinary Joe, the other a famous actor. As the cost of heroin goes up, due to greater enforcement (e.g. tax dollars spent), the two junkies spend more. More enforcement, greater risk/liability of the dealer, higher premium on the product.
Now, the cost has crossed the point where the "ordinary" Joe (minus that heroin addiction, of course) can no longer afford it, and probably doesn't really get it from a consistent source anyway. So, he ends up stealing a bit, trading for heroin. Maybe pawns some jewelry. Then, his habit gets worse, more expensive and he's getting to the point of robbing (the "ordinary Jane" might have been hooking by now). Now, you've got a junkie, who can't support a habit/addiction, trying to find money to pay inflated prices for unsafe/unregulated black market product, most likely helping spread HIV, HEP-C, etc.
The actor hasn't had any trouble with cost/product and hasn't resorted to crime to continue his habit. This hypothetical is really only on the consumer side anyway, nevermind what happens on the dealer/supply side where the serious violence occurrs over mega-bucks. These billions of dollars are partly to blame for our illegal immigration problem, considering who is in control of the money and the corruption that follows.
"Regarding people resorting to prostitution/theft/other crime to support their habits, don't you think this would be greatly reduced if they didn't have to pay inflated black-market prices? The incentive for dealers is money. Why buy a product on the street when it can be purchased in a store (generally speaking)? If it's at a huge discount, fantastic! Let these drug-addled bums buy if for pennies on the dollar so they don't break into my house and get shot trying to steal my possessions! Better yet, they don't stab me or kill someone I care about trying to get the money to pay for another day. Have them go to a drug store (not a general type store) where there are armed guards all over the place!"
How much money can a crack addict or a heroin addict make?
The answer is none. They can't hold jobs. So no matter how cheap legalized drugs become, they will still be too expensive for those who are addicted to them.
So you will either have more crime (because of increased addiction) or you will have the gubmint giving out heroin like candy to anyone who wants it. (Which is happening in Europe.)
All the libertarians who claim to be for smaller government should love paying for drugs for addicts -- plus their upkeep for the rest of their lives.
Good thinking there! George Soros is very proud of you!
Nice post. When a drug dealer is taken off the streets -- imprisoned -- it creates a job opportunity for ten other people to become a drug dealer. They'll fight it out of course, to see who controls the turf. When a bank robber or murder is imprisoned the murder and bank robbing stops. That is, no one is waiting in the wings to fill their shoes.