The difference between a high functioning, long term heroin addict and everyone else is that the heroin addicts require large support staffs that keep them high

The difference between a high functioning, long term heroin addict and everyone else is that the heroin addicts require large support staffs that keep them high functioning. Not really. They require their regular fixes, but are then able to be quite functional, if highly addicted. Where the requirement for significant resources come in is initially, vetting an addict for eligeability to enter the program. After that it's only a question of controling the distribution. Pharmacies can function quite well as gate keepers in the process.