it confuses me why so few people see it that way

Willful ignorance fuelled by religious indoctrination that getting out of your head is immoral.

Indeed, alcohol can be a problematic drug and is much more dangerous than most illicit drugs but do you assume that everyone who has a drink is doing so because they have a drinking problem?

Yeah but then how would the rich and powerful feel good about themselves?

“Increase social service programs so that we address the reason why they’re homeless and doing drugs in the first place.”

Doing drugs doesn’t imply a problem. UNODC estimates that only 10-15% of drug use is problematic. It’s not reasonable to assume that drug use is an escape from problems, any more than drinking alcohol.