But when a alcoholic/addict commits crimes against society shouldn't they be "locked away" to protect society?? An armed robbery for drug money is still a armed robbery that hurts society. Tax drugs & make narcotics legal, send'em to treatment ect... are probably good ideas but the problem is too complex in this country. IMO the US government can be the addicts biggest enabler. SSI, food stamps, section 8, methadone clinics, free rehabs ect... are all examples of catering rules to a selected minority of the population.