Prohibition actually encourages consumption by children. The application of reduced criminal penalties to juveniles has encouraged drug gangs to rely on kids. And banning drugs has created a black market, leaving drug sales in the hands of the sort of people who actively market to children. Moreover, there are now 2 million people in federal and state prisons. We are also losing our status as a free people.
Corruption bedevils police forces, court systems, the customs service, and even the military.
Mistaken drug raids regularly leave innocent dead in their wake. Although there are people who consume drugs and then commit crimes, alcohol is by far the most criminogenic drug. Heroin and marijuana are more likely to make people passive. The violence spreads overseas to countries like Colombia. Absent America's ban on drug use, the drug trade would offer normal profits and attract normal businessmen.