Digital Subliminal Drug Simulants: Good or bad idea?

[cfact]

The second position i'm seeing is that we could do better by resolving people's core issues that result in people relying on recreational drugs to just "cope" with their issues instead of truly solving them.

Agree on the first position (can think of a bunch of subs I would want before) so to address the second briefly:
I am not at all a drug user and barely a drinker (maybe one beer a week normally, if that), but I can definitely understand and appreciate the need to "let go" once in a while - to not be so concerned with career, self-growth, personal development, whatever else... just to go out, drink, have fun. It serves as a release, much like a cheat day does for my current strict diet. It gives life some balance, is fun and even the hangover can serve a purpose (to remind you not to do that very often!)

The point is: on the very few occasions that I do go out to drink and even to get drunk, I don't at all find this a coping mechanism or escaping from core issues. We don't have to be so serious and work on ourselves all the time... this position can even suggest people who watch movies or other forms are entertainment are just doing this as a coping mechanism (to escape from their mundane lives for example). And, while I 100% agree with you that drugs/watching movies/etc CAN be a coping mechanism, my point is that it need not be in all cases.

Simply... let healthy adults at least have something like a booze sub as a cheap, harmless, fun way to relax once in a while.

I agree with athanas on that - just start with a booze sub. The others can wait until that is assessed.
Add in whatever protections that are needed (remove ability to intoxicate people who are unaware/under a certain age... add in common sense precautions - e.g. you are instantly sober if you try to drive or situations where you need to be sober)

I think this would be an amazing sub - and much healthier than actually going out and drinking (even life saving if it prevents drunk driving and cirrhosis etc)