You pose a plausible hypothesis. Empirically, it has been shown to be wrong. Portugal decriminalized all drugs in 2000. In the Netherlands many drugs, includi

You pose a plausible hypothesis. Empirically, it has been shown to be wrong. Portugal decriminalized all drugs in 2000. In the Netherlands many drugs, including psychedelics, have been available OTC for decades. Both of these case studies show that you can decriminalize drugs on a wide scale. In Portugal, is had less to a decrease of abuse. I don't know the stats on the Netherlands, but I have not heard of any dire outcomes in that country either. The key is to route a portion of the money that has been thus far used for enforcement and punishment into education, treatment, and rehabilitation.