We already have an established pattern that limited tolerance, and regulation, for mind altering substances, does work. The end of Prohibition.
During Prohibition, the gangs got rich and dangerous. They outgunned the police, in most cases. They tore apart neighbourhoods and burned cities, and cops became corrupted. However, when Prohibition ended and regulation of liquor was allowed, the gangs got out of bootlegging and into other things, as it was no longer profitable enough.
The War on Drugs is largely no different than Prohibition and it’s just as effective. You’re welcome to push the authorities to double down on the war, or triple, or even quadruple down on the war on drugs, I’m betting that even spending ten times the money and effort that is currently being spent will be about as effective as Prohibition.
It’s just a question of how many lives are going to be wasted before we decide to try something else.
Legalizing ("decriminalizing", "marionbarryizing," whatever you want to call it) only soft drugs will have no impact whatsoever on demand for hard drugs precisely because of the addictive nature of hard drugs. The cartels, crews, cookers and pushers will still do a humming business keeping the armies of hardcases supplied. Those people aren't going away, and most of them won't be tempted to buy kiddie stuff down at the government store. Turf will still be fought over, kids will still get whacked and single moms will still end up dead in alleys.
Legalization is a pipedream. Unless you legalize ALL drugs, that is. Supposedly no one wants that.