“From studying the needle parks and other Swiss tactics on drug use issues I think they look at the issue along pragmatic and monetary lines.”
It’s way past time we started looking at this as a medical issue and not a moral one.
I have relatives who have had problems with substance abuse, and it’s difficult for them to get the help they need as long as it’s handled as some sort of moral failure, i.e., they are told it’s just a lack of self control. Self control is only a part of it, not the whole thing.
Any way that we can keep families together and help these people instead of just throwing them into jails would benefit society tremendously.
They decided to put their drug war money into education. They don't want the crime and disease that comes with the drug culture.
They learned through the needle parks that crime and disease would form inside the colony even with easy access to drugs. It is just part of the scene, so to speak.
If they can keep people off drugs and provide those who are already addicted a healthier alternative to their problem they will keep the total cost of the drug war lower.
I wish all the best for your relatives.