IT is heartwarming to see the compassion shown by staff at a city opticians to a woman, addicted to drugs, who stole a charity box from their premises.

We all too often condemn people who are addicted to substances as lazy, lacking in willpower or simply weak.

However, developing an addiction to drugs isn’t a character flaw or a sign of weakness, and it takes more than willpower to overcome the problem.

Kerry Rogers clearly believes she will be better off in prison and it is heart-breaking a mother should find herself in these circumstances.

Staff at Brauchli Opticians in the city, rather than condemn her have said they hope she gets the help she needs.

As manager Wendy Eichel said: “I take may hat off to her if she can stand up and say I want help.”

For many people with addiction issues the toughest step is to recognise they have a problem and ask for help.

Kerry Rogers has done just that.

Let’s hope with the right treatment and help, she is able to turn her life around.