My former neighbour was a heroin addict. Robbed me (allegedly!), robbed another neighbour - which got him caught. Took him going to court to get treatment and then just methadone. I'd known him since he was 12 and he was, and still is in fact, a nice kid (well, in his 20 nows) but he got in too deep. The criminalisation of drugs not only creates criminality through supply and the need for addicts to satify their needs, but it deters addicts from seeking help. We need a much more mature debate in this country about drugs because to my mind it is the biggest single issue we face in terms of the causes of burglary and theft.
Not sure about that cold turkey treatment though
It's easier than people might think for people to get addicted, whether its drugs, alcohol, Cable Forum, whatever!!