@Bama 8Ball and
@Bamabuzzard , I'm on lunch so don't have the time now but I'll try to swing back around this evening. Others have hit on a few points. First, though, let's not conflate drugs with homelessness - there is overlap, but most who use drugs live in a home and even work. Throwing people in prison has not worked in 100 +/- years of doing it. Some great points above on mental health and drug treatment.
Anyone consider this idea needs to study - and I mean STUDY - Portugal's experience with decriminalization. It has been a resounding success.
Meanwhile, we have 50x the OD death rate, many times the HIV and Hep C infection rates, and a higher % of the population using here compared to there.
I don't want legalization of hard drugs so more people do it and die. Quite the opposite - I want less people using and FAR fewer dying.
Remind me of the definition of insanity according to many people again...