The question that is of interest to us is: is there a time when not taking drugs is a bad thing? Assuming that the supreme value of power is accepted, this would mean that not taking drugs is an instance of weakness.
I can think of two cases.
First, the case of taking drugs being a rational need. If there is a real need to take drugs, whatever this need is, so as long it is rational, then the ability to take drugs is crucial. Not being able to do drugs, in such a case, but also in general, would be a weakness.
The ability to perform an act, whatever that act is, is indeed strength. You never know when the need to perform such an act will arise.
But there is a difference between being able to do something and actively doing something. The first is stored potential that is not realized, the second is realization of some stored potential.
While stored potential is always good, realized potential is not necessarily so. This is because the value of realized potential is dependent upon the reasons it is realized.
What is the common reason for taking drugs? Certainly not strength. People take drugs because they are weak.
There really are no other reasons. The good reasons for taking drugs are really only hypothetical, mere “what if” scenarios. The good reasons are imaginary.
But, therr is another situation, which is moreover not merely hypothetical, when taking drugs is a good thing.
This is when you are already addicted to them but you want to get off them. In such a case it would be unwise to suddenly withdraw from taking them.
Bad habits can only be eliminated gradually. It is possible to attempt to eliminate them suddenly, but this is doomed to backfire.
Thus, the drug addict must continue to take drugs.
The reason for this is because fixation is a bad thing. Whenever you fixate on one aspect of reality, whatever that aspect is, you will, sooner or later, end up repressing all other aspects of reality.
If you fixate on eliminating the need to take drugs you will end up repressing, and thus losing connection to, all other needs.
Thus, you need to switch your attention away from your need to take drugs to whatever other need when the time for that comes, and that means, surrendering a bit to the need to take drugs.
That’s the only legitimate reason to take drugs.
Now, your turn.