And all this happened while those substances were highly illegal, and any possession/manufacture was relatively severely punishable. Yet they got so much of it

And all this happened while those substances were highly illegal, and any possession/manufacture was relatively severely punishable. Yet they got so much of it for such a long time that they damaged their health. Drugs are like prostitution - they will exist and people will want them no matter what. The idea that you can ban it from existence is laughable and sad at the same time, something about unability to grasp reality of who we humans are. There are no easy solutions to complex problems like that. What might work better is give addicts controlled safe environment, and a lot of counseling help with getting back on their feet. Not everybody will make it, that part is hard to accept but that's how life is.