You are selectively quoting. You left out the "when combined" with other felonies. The problem is the people get addicted to heroin, heroin costs a lot, so they

You are selectively quoting. You left out the "when combined" with other felonies. The problem is the people get addicted to heroin, heroin costs a lot, so they break into houses, and encountering resistance kill the person. They also will prostitute their own children out to get money for fixes. These folks should be put out of their misery through a lawful process of justice and compassion for their suffering. Like putting down an old dog with cancer, we should put down parents who prostitute their own children to get money for drugs. Portugal solved the problem another way, a better way. Decriminalize heroin and make it available for free. There, no one needs to murder anyone or prostitute their children to get heroin. The heroin is free at the police station. You just have to go there, show your id, sign a log, and sit in the police station while getting your fix. Simple and easy. This solution is extremely effective and has reduced addiction and suffering, and eliminated horrific crimes caused by junkies who need money for a fix. Because no longer do they need money for that fix. The fix is free. It's a very good policy that works. In the US we will never give free heroin to addicts even though that is a better solution. We would rather live with the elderly being horrifically murdered, and children being prostituted, than allow such a solution. But elder murder and child rape are not solutions. Extreme punishment for those driven this far then is the option.