Matthew Perry Defends Drug Courts

Friends star Matthew Perry "tried to be likable and charming" while defending drug courts before Congress on Thursday, but it's an issue he takes seriously. “Drug courts are the single most effective program for curing serious drug addicts for life-long recovery," he told a House Appropriations Subcommittee, "It's just one of the few things that’s a no-brainer: it saves lives, it saves money, it’s bipartisan." Drug courts specialize in cases of non-violent substance abuse offenders, and according to Perry, they have a 75% rate of preventing future arrest. The actor said he will "grab" any opportunity to talk about the issue, or to testify "in that scary room" because, since getting sober himself, it allows him the opportunity to give back. “My life has a lot more meaning now that I try to help people,” he said. “It’s also a selfish thing—it makes you feel better than anything else will.” Though he's lobbied in DC a number of times, he says his contributions are not rooted in political aspirations, explaining: “I think I’ve been to rehab too many times to run for office."