Heroin is a key focus for my county Sheriff as well. It’s a huge problem.
I guess since they’ve tried prosecutions and it doesn’t work, it can’t hurt to try another approach. But, you also can’t force these addicts to stay clean.
I know a couple guys who have gone through a seriously good Christian based program and it’s been life changing for them. One was something like 15 years ago and he’s still in good shape. The other is only a couple years back, but the Lord has dramatically rewritten his life.
The recitivism rate for addicts is about 90%. Without a faith based approach replacing the need for getting high with something better, like God, they are still fighting an uphill battle.
It’s easy to fix. You make smuggling a capital offense. Get caught smuggling drugs, you will never see the light of day again. If you bring it in by ship, you lose the ship and berthing rights at that port for 10 years. That will force shipping companies to take a more active role.
Then you string up the dealers. Dealing becomes a federal offense with a mandatory 5 year penalty. Doesn’t matter if it is only the kid selling loose joints in the high school yard. No dealers, no drugs, no problem.
Finally, those who are addicted go through a rigorous treatment program with the goal of getting permanently clean. Reason so many go back is their environment. As long as there are dealers there and availability, recidivism is pretty much guaranteed.