There is a huge problem in Vancouver with heroin addicts committing crimes to support their habits. The “free heroin for addicts” program is doing everything they can to stop the addicts. The problem is that there is a large crime rate due to the addicts. It is obvious that addicts have a hard time getting through their day to day lives. Daily activities such as jobs, interactions, and relationships are hard to maintain because of the fact that they are using. By heroin users being addicted, they will do whatever they have to do to get their hands on the drug. The types of crimes committed are those of breaking and entering as well as stealing. There are no limits to where they will go to retrieve this drug so that they can feed their addiction. The problem with this program is that it won’t help to ween these addicts off using heroin. It is only trying to save the city from rising crime rates that they’re up to. By providing the drug, these addicts will be off the streets, which in turn will prevent them from committing minor street crimes. This will also keep the heroin users out of the hospital. It is pointless that the hospitals have to deal with people that want to use bad drugs or unsanitary needles and find themselves being unable to afford hospital bills and hard to cope without the drug. This program gives people free heroin in the cleanest way possible. This will in turn fix the city  but not the addiction that these people face.

Vancouver is facing a crisis as heroin addicts attempt to fund their addictions. The program “Free Heroin for Addicts” attempts to reduce these crimes, but does not address addiction and its impact itself. Addicts’ main concern is finding their next fix, making it difficult for them to maintain jobs and everyday responsibilities. The need for this fix is so large that they will go to extreme lengths to receive it, even if it includes breaking the law. This program aims to reduce crimes and keep addicts off the streets, however, the problems many face due to addiction will not be resolved. Heroin addicts will still have their dependency on the drug, even if supplied cleanly without cost. While crime rates may decrease, the root problem of addiction will remain the same.