Somebody close to me died of a heroin overdose. As a child they were abused by a trusted family friend and turned to drugs to escape the feelings of self-loathing and depression felt by many abuse victims. They died of an overdose - whether accidental or deliberate we don't know. Criminalising addicts who are seeking relief from self-loathing and depression just adds to their feelings of low self-worth. This must be just about the worst thing you can do to them. We should be helping them deal with the underlying causes and treating the addiction. We don’t do it to alcoholics so why on earth do we do it to those addicted to heroin, cannabis and other drugs?