Heroin vs. heroism

Save addicts' lives but give them an excuse to stay out of treatment? Or let some die when they get to the ER too late?

The liberal answer is of course to intervene in whatever way in the immediate crisis. The conservative answer is that they makes their choice, they pays the price.

Cars have air bags, seat belts, windshields that shatter to pebbles, collapsible steering columns, crumple zones, anti-lock brakes, and traction control. Drivers, including me, still drive too fast, too carelessly, too rashly. We don't think car owners are morally unworthy of saving.

Still, at some point, it takes a heroic choice for an addict to overcome. The conservative wants this to happen instantaneously without bothering him. The liberal will give the addict another chance, whether it's likely that he'll take it or not.