The “hip hop” culture is a plague where ever it strikes. Born in poor Black neighborhoods, the self segregated Hispanic, Asian and White youth are falling ever more under its spell. Drugs, sex, and hanging out are more exciting than work although a lot more dangerous. Legalized drugs would only increase the pool of slackers and force them into other criminal enterprises that the already have something of a monopoly on (robbery, pimping/prostitution, protection). Tribal in nature, people quickly adapt to it.
Very well said and you strike at a principle cause of the problem.