Addicts often commit other crimes, but the addiction is a function of the exposure to (and therefore trafficking of by other people) addictive substances. Cops actually love to hassle addicts, so long as they’re homeless addicts. It hasn’t solved any problems. But tackling drug trafficking is scary and dangerous because it turns out drugs are profitable and traffickers have loads of money and power.
Addicts often commit other crimes, but the addiction is a function of the exposure to (and therefore trafficking of by other people) addictive substances. Cops actually love to hassle addicts, so long as they’re homeless addicts. It hasn’t solved any problems. But tackling drug trafficking is scary and dangerous because it turns out drugs are profitable and traffickers have loads of money and power.