Once addicted, you have very little choice.

And that is where we should be channelling the resources, into giving them a choice. When there are a equal number of rehab programmes/counselling sessions and job training schemes available for the number of addicts, they have that choice.

What they choose to do with that choice is then up to them. I can not see the logic in denying them those choices whilst paying for their habit. It is prolonging the problem and doing nothing to stop it.

Their families and friends are the victims too, but not only financially. They pay the emotional price too. If my son was a heroin addict, I would get no comfort in knowing that he had it supplied free by the tax payer, I would rather the money was spent on trying to get him off the stuff.