maybe we should change our form of punishment here
That I agree with.
How much experience with addicts have you had? I'm not being sarcastic, sincere actually. Growing up in bars, ghettos, and other places of ill repute since I was 15, I was able to gain access to this world pretty quickly. A 15 year old, talented musician that was offered everything he could think of. I never once accepted. But seeing a bag of cocaine passed around backstage, bandmates coming from the bathroom after shooting up, people tweaking on speed...I've seen it all and all but done it.
Every addict needs help-yes. But there is only one person that really CAN help- that person is the addict they look at in the mirror.
I can give a few examples, but someone I previously mentioned (post deleted apparently, in the Patrick Swayze thread), had the most talent of any guitarist I've ever seen. For 12 years I watched the guy struggle with his heroin addiction, and I also stood by offering help while others DID ATTEMPT to help him. After 10+ bouts of being put in rehab (never voluntarily), his body was found 100yds from a known heroin dealers trailer.
Then there was Lester Butler, famous "Red Devils" harmonica/singer. He was put in rehab, and randomly tested, but HE did not want to be there. He would be telling everyone "The minute I'm getting out, I'm getting so fucking high....so blasted..I can't wait!" After an extensive tour of Europe and partying with some couple that followed him back, he died while being nursed back to health in a friends house; Lester had been pronounced dead numerous times only to wake up on the table asking doctors "What the hell happened, why am I here?" This time was a bit different.
Anyway....