@bontchev chronic alcoholics who stop consuming alcohol suddenly and completely die of withdrawal in pretty short order. They must taper off slowly. Without reading the article, I’d guess this is saving lives.
Jails do this too. A deputy sheriff friend of mine told me once that his county lockup would occasionally have to administer alcohol. His captain would walk the person to the far end of the parking lot once or twice a day to get off jail property and give them a drink or two of vodka.