Several threads of thought on this one. First. Every single study has shown that treatment provides better results far more cheaply than incarceration. This is but one.
The debate about drug courts' efficacy has been waged for the beyond a decade, and now one extra study has landed solidly in the "pro" column.
dualdiagnosis.org
So if you are a fiscal conservative than saving money and getting better results is obviously preferred. If you are determined to get people off drugs than treatment is more effective. But why worry about effective? I mean it just feels good to send them to prison right?
Then there is the libertarian view. As long as you aren’t hurting anyone else. Do whatever you want. That is the literal definition of freedom. So if you are pro Freedom, you would support it right? Or not. **** Freedom. Obey the law.
So what is the argument in favor of putting people in jail for drugs. It isn’t efficacy. We know that. It isn’t freedom. We know that. So what is your reason? Drugs are bad for the user? So is fast food. We must criminalize it. Ban red meat. Alcohol is also bad for us. We banned that. It did not work out so well. Exhaust from many sources creates pollution. That is bad for us. Coal smoke is bad for us. And only people who hate America want to ban it. Radiation is bad for us but we demand the right to put radioactive sights on our weapons.
So it being bad for you is not the reason. So what is the reason?