The discussion of addiction maintenance concerns the controlled medical prescription of heroin and methadone either to achieve gradual withdrawal from addiction or to maintain an addiction under medical supervision. The history of such addiction maintenance in Great Britain is traced, with attention to pertinent policy reports. A review of the effectiveness of therapeutic communities in treating drug addiction notes the temporary success of such treatment while addicts remain in residence, followed by a high failure rate when they leave the treatment community. The arguments for and against the decriminalization of marijuana and heroin are reviewed. Arguments for the decriminalization of marijuana have been more persuasive than those for the decriminalization of heroin, as many States have softened the penalties for marijuana use. The perceived risks involved have stalled decriminalization efforts in the United States. The effectiveness of the British heroin maintenance system is not necessarily an indication the United States would have the same success with its heroin addict population.