Well, sadly, because of people like above who think drugs are satan himself, the government spends all the money in it's big show on the war on drugs. It is a horrid WASTE of money. The police SHOULD be going after those who prey on the sick, the elderly, those who attack women, children.
It is well documented that many of these scammers ARE druggies, preying on the same people that you mentioned, but using a telephone to do it, rather than physical violence. They are "employed" at this "job" of cheating people, in order to "earn" the money necessary to feed their addictions.
Well to me, that kind of describes the drug dealers too! Sick and elderly? look at the homeless on the streets, women and children? do you think they don't use drugs either? then you are sadly out of touch with reality.