In my seven-plus decades on Earth, I’ve never used an illegal drug. I have tasted alcoholic beverages, but I didn’t like the taste, I didn’t want to lose control of my faculties, I never saw drinking as a way to impress the opposite sex, I had nothing major to rebel against, and I never had the mental or physical pain that sometimes drives people to drink or drugs. So if alcohol and illegal drugs were somehow removed from the planet, it would not affect me at all, except that I believe that the world would be a better place.
However, I do not believe either of these things should be illegal. God made humans as free moral agents. He has shown us how we should live, but then has left us free to choose whether we follow His laws. As much as possible, the law of the land should leave people free to choose. Once a person becomes a legal adult, if they use these things in a good way and in moderation, they should be free to do that. If they choose to destroy themselves with drugs and alcohol, they should also be free to do that, AS LONG AS they do not harm anyone else.
If an adult gives alcohol or illegal drugs to a minor, there should be extremely severe punishments. If someone drives while under the influence, they should have their vehicle confiscated on the first offense, just as you might confiscate the firearm of someone who fired at innocent people. A second offense would be even more severely punished.
Not only would “de-criminalizing” drugs and alcohol be the correct thing to do, I believe it would remove a world of unintended consequences that these laws have caused. The vast networks of violent drug suppliers, cartels, smugglers, and dealers would have their reason for existence eliminated. Much of the questionable undercover work and violent drug busts of police would be eliminated. Correspondingly, law enforcement would be able to concentrate on violent crimes.
I have a personal connection to the unintended consequences caused by these kinds of laws. In 1920, the United States of America prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, which lasted until 1933. My grandfather (who was a preacher) supported these laws, but I believe he was wrong. These laws caused the growth of a large organized crime network. Additionally, they had the unintended consequence of altering the behavior of a large segment of the population. Before Prohibition, most people who drank alcoholic beverages did so at their homes. During Prohibition, however, people who wanted to drink drove to “joints” where they could find alcohol. This naturally led to a drastic increase in drunk driving. I had an aunt who was killed by a drunk driver during Prohibition while she was still in her teens. Without Prohibition, she may have lived to a ripe old age.
Laws trying to control human behavior always have unintended consequences. That is why, as much as possible, people should be free to make their own decisions, as long as it harms no one else. You cannot legislate morality. If we want to control bad behavior, we should show people a better way. They need to come to Jesus, not to jail.