'Each class A drug addict costs society over three quarters of a million pounds, a judge reminded one heroin user.
Judge Stephen QC said some would describe people like Ashley Blower, 31, of Maesteg, as parasites.
"You don't work, you steal from other people, spending your benefits on drugs and obtaining additional money you need from wholesale shoplifting," he told him.
"People may be interested to know that the Ministry of Justice published figures recently indicating how much it costs society to look after a class A addict and the cost was £800,000 for each one."
Blower had been cleared by a jury of possessing heroin with intent but convicted of possession. He was sentanced to 18 months' supervision with attendance on a substance abuse program and an enhanced thinking course. He spent 259 days in custody awaiting trial, during which time he said he has been drug free.'
This story was printed in Monday July 7th edition of The South Wales Echo. I decided to highlight it here to see what other people thought of it.
