Earlier I told you China had wiped out underworld, drugs, prostitution, and bandits in her incipient days after 1949.  But how?  Following is a reportage about how she eradicated the prevalent drugs, particularly the widely spreading opium in then China within only three years.  Until now, China Mainland still holds zero tolerance towards drugs, against anybody.  You know, not long ago a Canadian drug trafficker was sentenced to death.  

新中国是如何在三年之内禁绝为患百余年的鸦片泛滥之祸害_风闻 (guancha.cn)

By contrast, some drugs have been legalized in the U.S. and Canada, e.g., marijuana.  Drugs will add to the increase of crimes and poverty in any nation, no matter how rich they are or have once been.  I guess you may have watched the videos regarding the swarming homeless, accompanied with drug deals in the towns of Los Angeles and San Francisco.  Here is another report on the similar scene in Philadelphia.  

欢迎来到美丽的风景线——美国费城“丧尸”一条街…_风闻 (guancha.cn)