I would also argue against simple 'public need.' Those are vaporous words that can be used to legislate anything at all.
It is a dire public need to outlaw drugs because they cause massive social harm.Wrong!!
Drugs are inanimate objects/substances. They "do" NOTHING.
Much like the whole gun-issue (where pro-gun & pro-drug people should be serious allies)....drugs are ONLY as dangerous as they're used.
It's addictive-behavior (like overeating) that causes all o' the massive social (& physical) harm.
That's the biggest problem you "conservatives" have, regarding "social"-issues; your inability to differentiate, between symptoms & (actual) problems.
It's no wonder we have such a shortage of Engineers, in this Country. Everything is THE "problem", to you "moralists".
Miss the point much?
the is the way of morality, it is too nebulous to define for all.