Reminds me of Hamsterdam in the third season of The Wire. The purpose of Hamsterdam was to serve as an open air drug market where drugs could be purchased and consumed. It of course devolved into terrible conditions, but it was all concentrated in a single area that could be monitored and policed. Drug use outside of the area was not tolerated at all.

The idea stills holds merit in my mind. Yes, it condones drug use and illegal activities, but it also cleans up the surrounding areas. I think it would also serve as a deterrent for the casual trying of a substance that could result in lifelong addiction. Who in their right mind would want to go to such a disgusting place to try something new?

It turns a problem that is currently diffuse to a problem that is concentrated. Like the difference between coal power plants spewing CO2 into the air versus nuclear power plants that leave radioactive waste that can be contained in barrels. Not the greatest analogy, but the point stands.