Back when I was a pharmacist, I used to buy cocaine. The 1989 wholesale price in the UK was GBP 3 (about US $5) for five grams. Diamorphine (heroin(TM)) was about the same price. The main headache was double-entry bookkeeping, security, and the ever-present possibility of a visit and audit from the drugs squad/Customs and Excise/the Pharmaceutical Society inspectorate.

I calculated that a heroin addict with a 1000mg/day habit (read: enough that their wake-up shot would kill any five non-addicts stone dead) could sustain their habit for GBP 20 a month -- of which most would go on disposable syringes, sterile water, and alcohol wipes.

Back before the first Dangerous Drugs Acts were passed in the UK, 50% of the addicts were doctors and pharmacists. Their life expectancy was pretty much normal, they didn't O/D unless they intended to commit suicide, and they were productive, and respected, members of society.

The War on Drugs has created the junkie-as-thief stereotype. It's time we got rid of it.