I don't use recreational drugs (illegal ones that is) and would like to see drug use disappear from sight. This is not likely to happen.
All drugs should be legalized, even ones that are known to be harmful or addictive. Then recreational drugs should be taxed and be minimally regulated. The FDA should place warning labels on known harmful agents but have no power to regulate them further. Health insurance policies should exclude any treatment for recreational drugs.
The savings to our legal system would be enormous. The cops and prosecutors now working on drugs could be diverted into real crimes.
The cost of these drugs would likely plummet with increased supply and the distibuting criminals would be missing a major source of income. The economy of Colombia might collapse. And Mexican judges would lose tons of bribe money.
It is likely that drug addiction would soar, at least for a period of time. Some individual neighborhoods would be affected more than others. Given time, the addiction rate would stabilize.
No government tax dollars or private health insurance dollars should be used for drug treatment. If a user wants to use, it should be solely at his/her own risk.
Legalize, tax and minimally regulate. And don't pay for treatment. And abolish the DEA and redirect the FBI and CIA into more useful pursuits.
