[mugs99]

The only model we have in western society is alcohol

Alcohol is the most dangerous drug known to man. It is responsible for more death and violence than all other drugs combined. Drug abuse is only a problem because it is stigmatized. If alcohol abuse were stigmatized the same as drugs, no one would even notice the insignificantly small numbers of drug abusers.

Other than the turf wars created by the drug war, most drug violence is alcohol related, but we are only told that the offender was on drugs, not that he was also drunk.
...

[dinasour]

Alcohol is the most dangerous drug known to man. It is responsible for more death and violence than all other drugs combined.

Yes, but is this because it is so much more prevalent and easily available?

My concern is that if all other drugs were as easily obtained, their use, and the problems associated with them would skyrocket, while the problems associated with the war on drugs, would fall.

The choice that has to be made is: which is worse?

I don't claim to know the answer. It may not be possible to know. But it would be wrong to think that drug use would remain at current levels if it were legalized.