Erich Goode

In the following viewpoint, Erich Goode argues that drug legalization would increase drug use and addiction. According to Goode, the threat of arrest acts a strong deterrent against drug use. If drug use carried no criminal penalties, more people would be tempted to experiment with drugs. Among these, many would become hooked on highly pleasurable drugs such as cocaine. Erich Goode is the author of the book Between Politics and Reason, from which the following viewpoint has been excerpted.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Goode, how do drug prohibitionists and drug legalizers differ in their views of human nature?
2. Why does cocaine possess the greatest potential for dependence, in the author’s analysis?
3. What evidence does Goode provide to support his claim that greater availability of drugs leads to more...