"Legalize the works and control the sales.

BUT... spend the profit on education, starting at as early an age as possible. And, not just "drugs"... food, exercise, social skills... the three R's just don't cut the buscuit anymore."

Spot on, Gnu. Couldn't have put it better myself.

There used to be a project in Liverpool where heroin addicts were prescribed heroin rather than offered the usual methadone reduction therapies: the results were a decrease in drug related acquisitive crime, positive impact on users and their families (including less deaths, users holding down jobs and so on). I can't remember all the details but I'll try to find a link.

Problem is, politicians know this approach works but are afraid of the potential for moralistic backlash (and lost votes) from Middle England/Middle America and the sensationalist approach the right wing press will take (even though legalisation dovetails perfectly with a right-libertarian agenda).

It will never happen. After all, drug users want it and heaven forfend we give 'em what they want!

A serious question though. A lot of my clients smoke crack. It's nasty shit. Does this particular drug muddy the waters of the legalisation debate?