They go in with an addiction, they leave with an addiction. The truth is the cycle will not end. Addiction is a disease according to the American Medical Association. It's most likely society reacts this way because people still ignorantly believe addiction is just a sign of weakness and lack of willpower. Just as we do with cancer or other diseases, we must learn to treat addiction if we are to reduce crime.
Treatment reduces recidivism.
Studies in California, Texas, Delaware and New York show about 25 percent of inmates who receive treatment are rearrested within 12 to 18 months. That statistic may not sound good until compared with those who do not receive treatment, their rearrest rate is nearly 70 percent. AS for crime reduction, it was found that among criminals receiving treatment, drug trafficking declined by 78 percent, shoplifting was reduced by 82 percent and assaults were down by 78 percent. So treatment not only helps those suffering from addiction, it also helps people feel safer in their communities. Most of the people who commit crimes while on drugs are not bad people.