I disagree with your assessment of coke as having no "inherent power or abilities". Cocaine Hydrochloride is an extremely powerful substance, and this story of Yasmeen's enslavement to it is just one of many.
Insane! So what if it is an extremely powerful substance? Dynamite is an extremely powerful substance too, but it wont do a damned thing by itself unless it isn't stored properly and "it" can't enslave anybody either.
And as far as enslavement, enslavement requires cognition, which cocaine doesn't have. YB indentured herself in her desire to "feel good", by whatever means, if there is any form of enslavement going on. The cocaine didn't have a thing to do with it. Again, no cognition exists in cocaine!
Cocaine, the "thing" IS dangerous and DOES have inherent pharmacological power.
Cocaine has pharmacological efficacy (the power to produce an effect), not power in the manner in which you're implying.
Besides, how can a "thing" be dangerous in and of itself? A number of "things" can be considered dangerous (even five gallon bucket to a toddler if it's partially filled with water). By your thinking a car, the "thing" IS dangerous. Some outside action is usually required before the "thing" actually becomes harmful or deadly.
The choice to be made about it is STAY AWAY FROM IT.
You can recommend that "choice", but it isn't reality. Folks have been saying "stay away from it" for years and it isn't working is it?
You're just a little too liberal (modern day usage) in your thinking for me.