Yeah, but it is not politically correct to attempt to connect things like race, socio-economic status, population density, education level, parents's marital status, etcetera, etcetera to crime rates.
This could be a thread all to itself: would legalizing all drugs reduce crime?
Making the assumption that by drugs* you mean the ones generally used for "recreation".
I would say the answer is yes.
Not only would it reduce street crime, the reduction in the detention of folks using and selling the drugs could free up to 50% of the jail space, a cost savings in though times.
The price of the drugs would fall making it possible to maintain a habit without resorting to crime....at least for those with enough self control left to be ale to sweep floors....
The purity of the drugs would be higher and the potency standardized so deaths from ODs would be reduced.
The tax revenue generated from the legal sale of drugs would make a major impact on available tax revenue....not that it would be spent any wiser than it is now.
Some of that revenue might be diverted to rehabilitation programs to salvage those among the drug users who might respond.
Perhaps some type of "permit" to purchase legally, renewable every 6mo. Requirements would be that initially and every 6mos, the user would have to get a physical at a free clinic and then receive counseling about the current state of his health, the impact of drugs on him and a review of the rehabilitation services available. The user shows up, gets examined, gets counseled, is handed his "permit" and is free to do with his life as he chooses.
The "free" clinic would be financed by volunteer work, donations and perhaps a portion of the tax revenue generated by drug sales.
If any more forceful efforts to rehabilitate the user are desired, it would be up to their friends and family to pursue that course, not the government.
*16oz Big Gulps and Big Macs would not be considered drugs.
