Hitchens Recalls Perry Encounter Amidst Broader Commentary on Addiction and Economics

Columnist Peter Hitchens has reiterated his views on addiction, stating that actor Matthew Perry might still be alive if he had heeded his advice. Hitchens's remarks, made during a BBC appearance, drew significant criticism at the time and have resurfaced following Perry's death. He asserts that human will is the most effective defense against drugs and alcohol, challenging what he describes as "fashionable views on 'addiction'" that he believes enable drug use and lead to increased misery and death.

Hitchens recounted that Perry spent approximately $7 million on rehabilitation, but ultimately died. He expressed sorrow for Perry's family and friends, while also noting he had a certain liking for the actor despite a past dismissive encounter. "Telling people they are powerless to stop poisoning themselves is not a good, kind or generous act," Hitchens stated, anticipating further public backlash.

Hitchens also broadened his commentary to economic concerns, warning of potential hyper-inflation and a severe drop in living standards for many. He drew parallels to Argentina's past economic crises, where the U.S. dollar became a de facto second currency and bank collapses led to the destruction of life savings. He argued that governments, particularly through excessive spending during the COVID-19 pandemic, have incurred massive debts without credible repayment plans. He criticized a recent budget as insufficient in addressing the nation's financial imbalance, noting that interest payments on the debt are consuming a significant portion of tax revenue.

The column also included a brief anecdote about a typographical error on Ryvita crispbread packets, which mistakenly credited a Royal Warrant to King Charles II instead of King Charles III. A similar error occurred with new Church of England prayer books, where a computer program replaced references to Queen Elizabeth I with "Charles," inadvertently altering historical declarations related to her claim to the French throne.