http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harm_reduction

>Whatever happened to methadone?

Critics of methadone treatment claim that this is merely a substitution of one addiction for another
I recall reading in the news about doctors arrested for giving out too much methadone. Doctors are not good law enforcers, they tend to err on the "I want to help no matter what" side.

>Or hell, even needle exchange programs?

Critics claim that these measures will encourage addiction by making it safer to inject illicit drugs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needle_exchange_program
In the US the use of federal funds for needle-exchange programmes was banned in 1988 and most states criminalise the possession of needles without a prescription, even so far as to arrest people as they leave private needle-exchange centres.
I recall Switzerland's experiment of creating a haven for junkies. After a while they had to stop the experiment, the town was a mess.