Cost of addiction

I would suggest to Douglas Capon, who complains that his money is being used to treat 
“irresponsible” people with drug, tobacco or alcohol addictions (Letters, 9 October), that helping people recover from their 
addiction saves money in the long run, because NHS resources can be diverted from treating the illnesses that these addictions invariably produce, resulting in a far healthier nation.

And as drugs and alcohol misuse are involved in many of the crimes currently being committed in Scotland, there should also be significant benefits to police resources, as getting to grips with those addictions will result in a safer Scotland, to the priceless benefit of families and communities blighted by the misery that drug and alcohol addiction inflicts on society as a whole.

Ruth Marr

Grampian Road

Stirling