Yeah it would still happen no matter how regulated it is. Maybe it would happen less. But like Annie said, antagonists should be readily available. It's really fucking sad.
I'll say this though. Prohibition has created a social stigma that causes people to use alone. The fact that he was found in his bathroom might be significant. Even alone, he might have been hiding his use from the world. Fact of the matter is - if he had been with somebody and there was a dose of Nalcan (do I have that name right?) his life would have been saved.
I don't think using would ever become socially acceptable no matter what kind of measures are taken, but I am strongly in favor of making it less loathsome. Too many people have experienced this horrible lonely death. I think it would help if society held their arms out to users rather than shutting them out. Our current policies are completely whacked. The fact that a chronic pain sufferer cannot admit an addiction to their doctor without being cut off cold - is shameful. These sorts of moralistic, crap policies drive people to street drugs with predictable results. This becomes even more unforgivable and mean-spirited in light of our attitudes toward overdose cures.
Several of my friends went down to hot-shots. I wonder how many would be here today if they could have bought from a regulated source? Some, but not all I suspect.
I have been addicted to opiates a few times in my life but never deserved to die for it.
We'll miss you Phil. You left a big hole behind. Peace.