You suspect wrong on both accounts. Many governments have legalized Heroine. Doing so has always lead to marked decreases in use. Lower use means lower demand means less drug related crime.
Additionally, when money saved on drug enforcement is appropriated for needle exchanges and rehab centers, the price of a days worth of heroin drops to 0 for the user. Areas with decriminalized heroin and needle exchanges see the greatest reduction in use and drug related crime.
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You suspect wrong on both accounts. Many governments have legalized Heroine. Doing so has always lead to marked decreases in use. Lower use means lower demand means less drug related crime.
Additionally, when money saved on drug enforcement is appropriated for needle exchanges and rehab centers, the price of a days worth of heroin drops to 0 for the user. Areas with decriminalized heroin and needle exchanges see the greatest reduction in use and drug related crime.
" Many governments have legalized Heroine. Doing so has always lead to marked decreases in use." Source?