Two (?) some years ago a review story about Oregon's decriminalization policy was here on HN and I said that I didn't think it was a good idea, and was kind of shouted down by people saying, "this is the only rational choice, to do what works and stop penalizing people which costs a lot and doesn't change their behavior".

Well, you can make stepwise rational choices all the way down into oblivion and watching your cities and states fall apart. It may be kind and more rational, but you've removed disincentives to use drugs and find yourselves in a society where you've attracted and created the conditions for this behavior to continue.

No matter what your policy stance on the potential solutions, it is not good to be having a society where people are using serious drugs without penalty.

Oh well, lesson learned, especially for people who thought they were liberal. Unfortunately at great expense and pain.