Nor do I think it would cure anything. The solution of the drug problem will be found beyond legalization or the WOD. It's a root cause issue but I don't think that's easily fixed either. In fact I think it's gotten worse since my childhood. I fear many of our young folks have never known a time when decency (however imperfect) was the norm. It's sad. Legalizing is like giving up.
I'm with you here. Some young folks (depending on how far back you wish to go) have had to endure the mandatory car seat, else their parents paid a heavy fine to the state. Others have watched as their friends have been victims of zero tolerance laws and placed in jails by the state for what may have seemed to them pretty benign possession violations. Seat belt laws, bicycle helmet laws, yup, it's like you say-- some young folks have never known a time when decency was the norm.
When I was about 4yrs. old, I got separated from my family by crossing a street (a busy downtown intersection- lots of people all around me so I just went with the flow) when a cop noticed that I was lost. He took me home (no one was there, they were now looking for me) so he drove me back and we found my mom, brothers and sisters. Today, they'd have taken me to a receiving home and my mom would probably be charged with some negeligence statute. You're so right, things have changed.
I sure am glad we gave up on alcohol prohibition :).