If you’re simplifying drug addiction down to “You made a choice to take that drug.” For the most part, that’s true. Aside from any non consensual dosings, which I’m sure you’d agree are the exception, 100% of addicts chose to use it that first time.

We can’t completely toss away predisposition though. There are a lot of people who have chosen to use a substance that first time, and didn’t get hooked. Others, whether through genetics or psychology, aren’t as lucky.

Imagine the scenario of a safe, recreational user. He has occasionally used X over the years, and has no addiction. He goes months without even thinking about X. He hangs out with a friend, who is a little more passionate about his hobbies. After hearing about how his trusted friend has been safely using X for years, he reluctantly decides that the DON’T DO DRUGS propaganda from school must have been exaggerating. After all, this good friend isn’t homeless and sucking dick at the bus station for X. Sadly, this friend REALLY enjoys it and tries it again more frequently than his friend, and his use escalates until he developed an addiction.

Yeah, he made a choice, but sometimes it’s based on misleading evidence, and not just looking cool.