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So what should we do? Build more jails and throw all the addicts in them?

Building more jails shouldn't be necessary — but yes. Offer the choice of jail or rehab. (This is what e.g. Michael Shellenberger is calling for, as well as recovered drug addicts I know and respect.) This is has a dramatically better chance of saving the addict than does the status quo of bouncing them back from death with Narcan so they can do the same thing tomorrow… and the day after… and the day after… until they die.

A few years ago I noticed an interesting trend in music in that it was going back and reviving old styles from the 1970s and 1980s. And like the 70s and 80s, it worked when it worked, but when it didn't, it really didn't.

It's interesting seeing the same revivalist trend in public policy, particularly with respect to law enforcement and drug policies.

Like those musicians, I can only surmise that younger generations think, for whatever reason, that they can do it better this time.

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