British writer Peter Hitchens has sparked controversy following his comments about the late actor Matthew Perry and drug addiction. In a recent statement, Hitchens attributed Perry’s death to his drug use, asserting that the actor could have stopped his substance abuse if he had chosen to do so.

Hitchens, who declined to express sympathy for Perry’s struggles live on the BBC, said he faced widespread criticism and online hostility for his remarks. He described the backlash as fueled by what he called “modish public opinion” and characterized his position as unpopular because it emphasizes personal willpower as the primary means to overcome addiction.

The writer disputed contemporary views on addiction that frame it as a disease or as largely outside an individual's control. He argued that more than six decades of liberal drug policies have failed, citing increased numbers of drug users and significant problems with painkiller misuse, which he identified as central to Perry’s difficulties. Hitchens further rejected claims that drug users face harsh treatment from society or law enforcement, saying addicts instead receive "rehab," "diversion," and extensive sympathy.

Acknowledging Perry’s extensive efforts to combat his addiction, including spending reportedly $7 million on rehabilitation, Hitchens expressed regret over the actor’s death and the loss felt by his friends and family. However, he maintained that Perry’s outcome might have been different had he exercised stronger personal discipline.

Hitchens also drew on historical examples to support his argument that addiction can be overcome through willpower. He referenced colleagues who quit smoking or drinking after medical warnings and cited U.S. soldiers returning from the Vietnam War in the 1960s, most of whom reportedly ceased heroin use without formal intervention.

Responding to critics who describe his views as cruel or outdated, Hitchens dismissed such accusations, insisting that encouraging people to see themselves as powerless only perpetuates addiction and suffering.

While some public discourse around addiction increasingly views it through a medical or psychological lens that emphasizes treatment over personal accountability, Hitchens’s statements underscore an enduring debate about the balance between individual responsibility and societal support in addressing substance abuse.