Classify drug abuse and addiction as a pubic health issue instead of a legal issue

Shift the outlook on drug usage from "a violation of the law" to a call for help. If caught in possession or use of illegal drugs the situation should warrant assistance, not punishment. Imprisonment for drug use is a less effective method of winning "the war on drugs" compared to a more warm approach of offering rehabilitation services. Putting good people in prison for using drugs is a waste of space and tax dollars; real criminals could be filling those cells, but instead, able-bodied people are forced to leave the work force and waste money the government desperately needs on them, in addition to the opportunity cost of them not working and preventing fuller stimulation of the economy. This system is very effective in some European countries; we'd be fools to not apply good findings.