[Thor]

Step 1 for me would be legalization of Marijuana, step 2 would be to decriminalize all current illegal drugs and change from a law enforcement policy on drugs to it being a medical issue.

Step 3 is the tough part, which I think will eventually have to happen in most of the west, maybe in the next 10-30 years after more countries decriminalize.

#3 Legalization of all drugs. This is necessary for a few major reasons, #1 cartels, crime organizations, gangs all will be severely harmed by this, which would decrease crime and change the landscape of law enforcement world wide. The damage done in Mexico because of illegal drug trafficking is staggering, and drug use since the war on drugs started in the late 70s has done exactly nothing to curb drug use.

All drugs would be regulated and controlled so that potency and of course quality can be guaranteed, thus reducing harm from street drugs which can be deadly because of how they are manufactured and distributed. So many drugs you buy can vary in potency and could be laced with dangerous things.

#4 Since we are now treating drug problems as a societal health issue, the taxes coming from drug sales can be moved from law enforcement in to education (see the success of the quit smoking campaigns) to funding more medical means to deal with addiction problems, research in to helping people get off addictions, and rehab centers.

The biggest worry people have is if we take these steps drug use will increase, however in places like Portugal which decriminalized all drugs has seen a reduction in drug use, and that is pretty impressive considering it is only one country surrounded by others which still have tough drug laws.