The article goes into this in great depth on both sides of the issue, but this is probably the most direct answer.

The drinks, dispensed by nurses as a form of medication, are meant to prevent the clients from becoming overly intoxicated while avoiding the worst effects of withdrawal, which may lead to seizures and can be fatal for those physically dependent on alcohol.

To address the "taxpayers expense" part, it's way more expensive to provide major health care than small amounts of vodka.

Alcohol withdrawal is no joke and it can be deadly. I have gone through withdrawal a couple of times in my life and it is debilitating, even in less serious cases like mine. (I am surprised I didn't end up in the hospital the last time as I quit on my own without supervision. That was grade-A stupid.)

All political stuff aside, giving out a few drinks will save lives. However, the odds are astronomical that someone might actually use the program as a means to wean themselves off. Still, there is a chance that someone cleans themselves up and that is good enough for me.

The cost should be minimal, I would speculate, as there are countless forms of cheap alcohols out there.

Some hospitals keep it on hand because severe withdrawals can kill a person.

I don’t know if this fits your criteria for “helps”, however.

Bottle of liquor is cheaper than a state funeral. Withdrawal does kill.

Also a little empathy will go a long way. Understanding what happens to an addicts body would help here too.

Repeated alcohol withdrawal is more harmful than repeated drunkenness by a long shot, and each one could kill, and very likely so. While obviously all destructive drinkers (and on another level all drinkers period really) should quit, quitting things doesn't always happen on other people's schedule and reducing the harm that's done in the interim can improve future quality of life greatly. As far as doing this at your expense, well, addiction is a thing that can hit anyone and does a lot of damage to the community around the person it hits.

I mean that’s just capitalism. It’s cheaper to give them alcohol and avoid overdoses and withdrawal symptoms than to pay for emergency room visits.

Also, department officials say, none of the booze used in the program is purchased with taxpayer dollars.

Heartless monster, you are.