STP was pretty damn huge at the time Scott was getting arrested. Most bands aren't in a situation where their frontman is the top story on the news in handcuffs--multiple times. I remember being a teenager and my parents calling me in to watch the local LA network news (it was either ABC, NBC, or CBS) as one of Weiland's arrests started off the news broadcast.
When they released No. 4, the album with a top 40 hit, Scott was sitting in a jail cell. When they were invited on MTV's TRL to debut the "Down" video, they had to do so without Scott.
Not a lot of bands have been in the same position. Scott was very publicly in trouble with the law. In hindsight, a press conference to cancel a tour due to their singer's issues was probably more about getting back at Scott due to frustrations about his extracurricular activities, but it was nothing like the embarrassment he put them through.
Remember, Scott came out and said that scoring the drugs himself in seedy areas was part of the thrill. He could have easily procured his drugs in ways less likely to get him arrested; he preferred to score them in more dangerous ways. That part is on him.
STP is just one of those bands that was destined to be loved in hindsight. Critics overwhelmingly said they were wrong. The band was too versatile to be carry a consistently large fanbase. They are fan-retarded. They've made poor public decisions.
I am happy I have gotten the music I have. "Black Heart" and "Tomorrow" are songs that continue in the tradition of the STP I love. It's better than nothing, I suppose.
Let's also not forget that the DeLeos have many friends in the industry. They maintain these relationships. Scott tends to burn bridges. Two bands don't want anything to do with the guy. That's pretty damning. And honestly, Slash has had issues with two singers. I am guessing Slash is not innocent guy either.
The evidence is just too overwhelming. I enjoy Scott. Used to idolize him. Now I feel sorry for him. I hope he lives a happy and healthy life. If he can do that AND make good music for a while, then even better.