Drug addiction, especially heroin addiction, is an illness.

Punishment, even for Mr Docherty, will not stop his addiction.
The only punishment which will cure heroin addiction is Capital punishment.

Most heroin users have severe psychiatric problems, problems which are usually a large factor in their becoming addicted in the first place.

We need to instigate a programme geared to defeating addiction, not simply stabilising the addicts. This problem will cost many millions, but if we really believe ourselves to be a caring society,we have no alternative.