why drug addiction is a crime

Drug addiction itself is not a crime, but some of the behaviors associated with drug addiction, such as drug possession or drug-related crimes, are illegal and can result in criminal charges. However, it is important to recognize that drug addiction is primarily a health issue and should be treated as such. Punitive measures alone are not effective in addressing drug addiction and may exacerbate the problem by driving addiction underground and discouraging people from seeking treatment. Instead, a comprehensive approach that combines prevention, treatment, and harm reduction strategies can be more effective in addressing drug addiction.