text: Imagining that we can actually end drug abuse with criminalization (instead of the sensible intervention which is MEDICAL intervention in what is, in fact, a public health crisis) when even countries like the USA couldn't do it despite a budget that exceeds the total size of South Africa's entire economy on it every year since 1906 - is just silly.
  Take all that money you are spending imprisoning addicts, giving them records, thus reducing their chances of future employment and just driving them right back to drugs -and build the kind of rehab centers wealthy millionaire addicts go to  - and make those free to use, and voluntary.
  Instead of police showing up, have social workers meet with addicts, guage the level of their addiction (casual experimenters all the way through to hardcore addict) and advise them on a treatment plan. Then back away and leave them alone forever - they will go for treatment, when they are ready.
  
  Let's try the only solution that has ever actually succeeded.