Why do we have to put drug users in jail?

Scott Cecil (Students for Sensible Drug Policy): "Every person who spoke this morning described addiction as a disease, but I'm struggling to think of any other disease that we tend to treat with incarceration. If the criminal justice system is not the best way to connect non-violent addicted drug users with treatment services, then why do we insert non-violent addicted drug users into the criminal justice system? Why can't we skip that step and go right to the treatment? And wouldn't people with addictions be more likely to seek treatment out if they don't have to fear criminal penalties?"
Dr. Thomas McLellan and Dr. Nora Volkow answer.
From the US Senate Forum on Addiction, December 2, 2014.

[@jimseedsBBQ]

Still Dosent explain why locking them up is helpful. If the user is breaking a law then yes lock them in a cage. If the user is simply using it should be seen by law as a addictive substance not an illegal one. it shouldn't constitute locking them in a cage. Education over Demonization

[@robinsss]

why should the criminal justice system be involved in handling drug use incidents at all?
the drug courts have failed
this is a well known fact
we shouldn't force people into treatment
when they feel they need to go give them a bed

[@runekey]

Wow what a bullshit, run-around answer