Actually, this is a cost-saving solution. It costs the tax-payers less. See Switzerland example. And Switzerland even goes one step further - they provide the addicts with the heroin, too! Why? Because addicts spend all their time doing crime and prostitution to pay for their addictions. When the government provides addicts with small doses of pure heroin, not only does this take money away from drug cartels, and ensure users are getting clean drugs, but it means they have just enough in their system to function and stave off withdrawal and can focus on keeping a job and housing. In other words, they become functioning members of society. It's win-win.