I wonder what 'fighting drugs' has cost this nation and the families harmed by them, over the past 25 years? Not sure when the 'drug wars' actually began, but that is as good a number as any. Probably should say 10 because it would be easier to calculate. I refer to so called 'recreational drugs', including the 'hard' ones and this one in the story here.
In any case, it has to be astronomical. Both in actual dollars, and the costs to families, both in dollars and lives lost and those ruined whether in mind or body. The costs of treating 'victims' in actual dollars has to be great, and imo, not very effective in many cases.
It seems unreasonable to keep on treating and re-treating those who choose drug use for 'recreation', and I would include legal alcohol here. 'Once and done' SHOULD be the rule, with inclusion of treatment of mental problems some claim cause their addictions. It should not be legal to 'self treat' medical ills like depression and others with even legal drugs, especially with 'medical' marijuana. I realize many educated people insist 'm' is not addictive, but isn't it an 'entry' drug to more powerful, dangerous, and illegal substances?
People have to learn to take responsibility for their actions and if parents don't instill that 'talent', government may have to do so because we simply cannot continue taking care of those who choose not to take care of themselves.
A life is a terrible thing to waste, or to throw away in this way, and the people who entice others with drugs, illegal and legal, deserve to pay the price, just as the victims of drugs have.
mrj