[cthalupa]

Portugal's use of hard drugs increased at a lower rate compared to the rest of Europe post decriminalization. Obviously decriminilization is not the same as legalization, and there are other demographic factors in play, but I don't know that we have any evidence that suggests the usage of fentanyl, etc. is going to rise based on being decriminalized or legalized. This very article says that the destigmatization has no resulted in higher drug usage than in places where it is still stigmatized and laws are highly enforced.

Opioids aren't like pot or hallucinogenics or even cocaine - there's no glamour associated with them, at least not since the opulent opium dens have long since been shuttered. People can and do use them while functioning, but people mostly fall into addiction through not being able to get off of opioid based painkillers after having been prescribed them, or by their life falling apart to the point where they are medicated to an extreme extent. Will there been individuals who use if it is legalized that wouldn't otherwise? Of course. Will it be in significant quantities? I don't believe so, and don't believe there is any evidence to suggest that this would happen. The question is if the benefits can outweigh the downsides and result in overall harm reduction.