Are you Serious?All of you haters should get in line and volunteer in the DTES over Christmas and take the time to talk and meet those who you deem a"low -life."
There is plenty of  information out there: Studies etc on causes of addiction.
"Pulling up your boots straps" is a laughable, willfully ignorant solution.When, as a child, you are beaten repeatedly,raped, pimped out by YOUR PARENTS, neglected beyond belief, burned with cigarets and many other transgressions, "pulling up your boot straps" is not in your lexicon.