REHAB OR PRISON?

Many times here I have castigated the refusal of our overlords to consider compulsory rehab for addicts so that the court system is finally avoided for those 70% who are repeatedly offending in order to finance their habit be it narcotics or alcohol or both.However I doubt we`ll see that initiative for many a long decade. A perfect example was in front of Kirklees Magistrates this week. Whilst he is deserving of pity the public must be protected.  I cannot believe that the costs of re hab would exceed the costs of prison including a reduction in future offending and all that that would save.  Indeed with new prisons on the horizon existing establishments could be converted to such hostels and these being mainly in cities family ties would have a real possibility of being restored between addict and parents/partners/children.