LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Controversial author and broadcaster Peter Hitchens has come under fire after sharing his article from 2017 titled "The Fantasy of Addiction" after Matthew Perry’s devastating death.
The 54-year-old actor, best known for playing sarcastic Chandler Bing in 'Friends', died of an apparent drowning at his Pacific Palisades home on Saturday, October 28.
A day after Perry’s death, Hitchens re-shared the article, doubling down on the argument he made about 10 years ago that addiction should not be designated as a disease.
He made the controversial remarks in 2013, during his heated argument with Perry on the BBC’s current affairs program 'Newsnight'.
Matthew Perry tore into Peter Hitchens on the BBC’s 'Newsnight'
In 2013, Matthew Perry was invited on the BBC's 'Newsnight' to speak on specialized drug courts, where people with histories of addiction would serve as magistrates and provide more knowledgeable decisions about non-violent addicts' abuse-related offenses.
"I know that they work," said the actor on the program, adding, "People who go through drug court have a 55 percent less chance of ever seeing handcuffs ever again."
Peter Hitchens, a strident anti-drug campaigner, strongly disagreed with Perry's position, calling drug addiction a "fantasy of addiction" and contesting the idea that it is an illness, as per the Independent.
"The medical profession is constantly doing extraordinary things. The American Psychiatric Association said for years homosexuality was a disease – they were wrong," stated Hitchens.
Perry replied, "You are making a point that is as ludicrous as saying Peter Pan is real."
Afterward, the actor furiously called Hitchens "Santa" and suggested that he "read something other than your book," referring to the author's book, 'The War We Never Fought: The British Establishment's Surrender To Drugs'.
Hitchens then accused Perry of treating a "very serious subject" with "immense levity," saying, "The policy which you so smugly and loftily advocate, this policy has led to disaster in western countries for decades."
The debate became so heated that Ian Katz, the 'Newsnight' editor at the time, reportedly ordered the show's producer to have them leave the BBC building by different doors.
Later in his memoir, 'Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing', Perry recalled the confrontation and described Hitchens as a "complete tool."
In the 2017 article, which he reposted on Sunday morning, Hitchens said he "never meant to start an argument about addiction" but stood by his view of standing against the classification of drug addiction as a disease.
"Chandler Bing called me various names and was even more sarcastic than before. He is extremely good at sarcasm, even if he understands very little about the drug problem," wrote Hitchens, as per Oxford Mail.
Internet slams Peter Hitchens as he shares the 'The Fantasy of Addiction' article after Matthew Perry's sudden death
Soon after Peter Hitchens shared his article following Matthew Perry's sudden death, netizens and fans of the actor flocked to reply with their views.
"What a disgusting thing to post, today. You cheapen yourself," wrote a user, while one added, "Not today Peter! His family and friends are grieving. Delete this, please. You’re better than this."
"You're so desperately petty. Did it rankle you too much? Did your ego get the better of you? Could you just not stand people admiring a dead man's point? You're a weak, spineless person," stated another.
"This is from someone who hasn't experienced any form of addiction. Shame on you, Peter Hitchens," asserted a person, and one said, "This is the day you chose to repost this? Wretched."
"Sometimes Peter there is a time and place to restart that debate but In the current circumstances, it’s not today. RIP Matthew," wrote another, while a user slammed him, saying, "Time and place, sir. This is wholly inappropriate and deeply disappointing. I am genuinely embarrassed for you."
