Criminalization of people who use drugs tends to push them into the corners. It is incredibly stigmatizing. What is more stigmatizing than being arrested, and thrown into the criminal justice system, when, in fact, you have a substance use disorder, and you need to have drugs you can only find on the street in a dangerous and illicit way?
If possession of illicit substances was decriminalized and people were able to feel safe, in normal times there would be more congregating in communities, and so on, but during COVID times, it just exacerbates the idea of using alone.
Decriminalization is essential for people to actually come out of the closet as it were, to seek services if they are available and to start on a path of possible recovery. We find that as a very big step in solving this tragic problem.