I read his statement as sarcasm. I'm actually hard pressed to think of how I could interpret it seriously.

I would suggest reading up on the Swiss system that hugely reduced a severe heroin problem by treating addiction as a medical problem instead of a criminal problem. Doctors simply administer as much heroin to addicts as they want. It was so successful that now Germany and a couple of other countries have adopted it. Portugal has also had success with decriminalization. There is plenty of evidence out there to support his statement.

Yes, and the person you reply to is saying that this is obvious (from my understanding). I think you have just argued for something you already agree on.

It was nice, though, to learn about the countries that have had success.

Many people are addicted to caffeine; but how many steal to buy coffee?

it's so cheap and readily available that they don't have to this is because it is legal