Some people don't get better no matter how many times they are jailed or in treatment. Some eventually get tired of using and quit on their own. It seems to me putting him in jail does nothing but cost the taxpayers money that could be better spent on research into addiction and treatment. Not everyone can or wants to be rehabilitated but for those who do, opiate substitution treatment can save lives. Detox must happen first before any treatment can be started, detox is very painful and many addicted people can't get through it.
Medical heroin is an avenue discussed by advocates.
Switzerland has medicalized heroin, the people who are on this program live normal family lives. Not all addicts are criminals, and not all criminals are addicts. However, many addicted people resort to crimes such as burglary to pay for the inflated prices of heroin on the black market. If heroin could be prescribed to addicts, we could save a generation. It is quite possible, Robert Downey, Jr. is an example of the war on drugs folly.