Canada

I dunno, it didn't work but it didn't not work either to address the toxic drug crisis on its own either. Just having decriminalization and safe supply only, without proper rehabilitation standards, with a lack of ample housing and support to get people's life together after drugs causing long waitlists to receive longer-term support, means that these just kept the status quo. We need a Manitoba style "Your Way Home" (PDF link) program, wrap-around individualized treatments for both homelessness and addiction, neither of which should be crimes.

I agree that criminalization wastes space in jails and taxpayer money, and puts up more barriers and hardship on people who already are having a rough stretch of life. I personally don't care because 99.9% of addicts in Gastown largely mind their own business, but I acknowledge that open drug use does make others uncomfortable and that 1 in 1000 has led to stabbings and other harmful behaviours to the public.