81000 is almost a factor 50 higher per capita than portugal which has decriminalized most drugs and treats addicts as people with a health issue, like one might alcoholics.

The quote you pulled from the article from 1997 is also pretty pathetic.

If the author can't distinguish between a crime where there is a very clear perpetrator and victim (rape/incest/murder) and one where at essence we are talking about self harm (drugs/suicide) the premise leaves a lot to be desired.