revised paragraph: Heroin addiction in Vancouver is causing a crime wave as addicts commit crimes to fund their habits. The “free heroin for addicts” program attempts to lessen these crimes, but it fails to address the root of the problem. Driven by their addiction, they will go to any lengths to obtain heroin, including stealing, breaking into houses and cars, selling their bodies, mugging tourists to score. While the program may reduce street crime by keeping addicts off the streets, it does little to fight the underlying addiction. Instead of helping addicts get clean off heroin it offers heroin as a temporary solution however it also enables their dependency. Meanwhile, hospitals continue to bear the burden of treating addicts many of which cannot afford medical care.This program may lower the crime rates and reduce hospital visits, but it fails to address the addiction that keeps addicts trapped and dependent.