Why is addiction treated criminally in the US, why isn’t it treated medically like alcoholism?

Question by sound_of_the_silenced3: Why is addiction treated criminally in the US, why isn’t it treated medically like alcoholism?
Portugal, which in 2001 became the first European country to officially abolish all criminal penalties for personal possession of drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.

Under Portugal’s new regime, people found guilty of possessing small amounts of drugs are sent to a panel consisting of a psychologist, social worker and legal adviser for appropriate treatment (which may be refused without criminal punishment), instead of jail.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00.html#ixzz0xT67k2IY

Many people say that Decriminalization and Ending the Drug war (letting states regulate like alcohol) will increase drug use………..However this is not the case.

THE EFFECTS OF DECRIMINALIZATION OF DRUG USE IN PORTUGAL
http://www.idpc.net/php-bin/documents/BFDPP_BP_14_EffectsOfDecriminalisation_EN.pdf.pdf

Drug related deaths, and reported use both were down in 2003, just four years after decriminalization?

Is the criminal approach working?

At what costs to the taxpayer?

Best answer:

Answer by Rash Blimpo loves oxycontin
The Arrest and Incarceration Industry is big business in the USA.

America is all about subjugating, enslaving, and controlling people. No museum of US history can be complete with chains, shackles and the other vestments of BDS&M.

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