What's interesting is that the USA has very high rates of drug abuse, illegal and prescription drug abuse, despite having very strict laws and harsh punishments

What's interesting is that the USA has very high rates of drug abuse, illegal and prescription drug abuse, despite having very strict laws and harsh punishments for drugs (it varies by state, but generally). The lesson is that the harsh punishments don't solve the problem. Drug addictions should not be blamed on the addict, there is still a huge problem here. I think they can be treated if they are accepted, the addiction approached like a mental disease, with counseling and honesty.