Drug offenses — such as possession, sale, manufacture, and distribution — range from misdemeanors to felony charges and can lead to serious, lifelong consequences. Costly fines and incarceration are often levied against those convicted of drug or drug-related offenses as a means of punishment for each specific offense.  This punishment, however, does nothing to help the offender reform. Without adequate treatment for the underlying addiction, recidivism rates remain high.
What makes this particularly frustrating, and pointless, is the fact that there are avenues of education, therapy, and rehabilitation that may be court-sanctioned and ordered.  Attempts have been made in many jurisdictions to help offenders seek treatment for their addiction by working to determine the root of their addiction.  In many cases, treatment may be ordered in lieu of jail time to help prevent future offenses rather than just punish the individual for the current alleged offense. Not only does this prove successful in ensuring that the individual is able to lead a productive life, but it is also, on average, far more cost-effective than incarceration.