[rakhodorkovsky]

Switzerland has had programs giving methadone and heroin to addicts for more than 20 years now. They've been a success; heroin use has plummeted since it's peak in the 90s.

One reason for the success is that giving out free product kills the local market; many users finance their use by selling to and actively recruiting new users.

[Scoundreller]

Or just straight up property crime. Breaking a window to steal $3 in change.

Not sure why/how the property insurance industry hasn’t lobbied government for this yet.

[nickik]

My great ant and uncle who were wealthy and lived in Zürich would put 300Fr in cash by the entrance area of their house. The idea being that if a junkie would break in, they would just take that money and leave.

Before the legalization a common stereotype would by junkies breaking into places stealing a few things or destroying things while searching for valuables.

Not sure if this is true or a sensible defense mechanism. However it shows something about the attitude during that time.