Legalizing drugs of any kind means the thousands of people convicted for the crime will challenge their sentences so there goes the idea of unburdening the courts and prisons.
Legalizing will not be cheaper because knowing the government they will start a whole new agency to monitor and control it , a combination of the DEA and FDA. Don't forget the health related problems as well.
The only way to handle drugs, crime, alcohol problems is to solve it at the source. Target the reasons why people turn to those things in the first place. Treating the results will never work until you remove the cause. Target why people abuse drugs, is it because they have a crappy life and are looking for an escape ? If so then show them how to get out of that life. I would much rather see money go to showing people how to deal with life than spending it on keeping them locked up . Things like say no to drugs will never work because it provides no alternatives. It is like giving money to a starving man and telling him don't spend the money, but go get some food. He will fill the need regardless of what the law, morals, or anyone else says.
