I think people are also ignoring the fact the drug use might not correlate with the crimes these people are committing. Perhaps they are just mentally ill, with no access to proper care, and are self-medicating. Jailing them will never solve the problem. Affordable healthcare might, however.
But oh no, then we'd have to pay taxes! We don't want a safe city that badly.
Jailing someone who is committing crimes instantly solves that problem. The perpetrator is off the street, unable to commit more crimes.
Treating criminals like victims, instead of showing empathy for the actual victims of these crimes is disgusting.
Honest people should not be made to suffer at the hands of some junkies who can't control their urges and are compelled to commit crimes to feed their addictions.
But oh no, then we'd have to pay taxes! We don't want a safe city that badly.