Meth is a bad drug there's no question about that. However, it's not the only game in town that is dangerous and causes our society massive amounts of money to deal with. Alcohol is every bit as addictive with the only real difference being that is legal. I work with alcoholics and addicts on a daily basis and have been doing so for 30 years. Look at all the people killed by drunk drivers, how many times are drunk drivers released to drive again etc. How many receive tons of medical care because of the devestating effects of alcohol on the liver and other organs? Trust me tons of your tax dollars go to treating these problems.
Relapse is common with alcoholics and addicts, however many do achieve lifetime sobriety and recovery. Treatment does help but only if the individual wants the help.