Jacob Sullum

Many conservative politicians have blamed the rise of teenage drug use on the government’s lack of effort in fighting the problem. In the following viewpoint, Jacob Sullum contends that this argument is unconvincing because government antidrug efforts have intensified, as evidenced by the fact that arrests for drug offenses are increasing. Sullum argues that the real reason teenage substance use has risen is that government antidrug efforts—including drug education programs and antidrug advertising campaigns—are ineffective in altering the behavior of teenagers. Sullum is a senior editor at Reason,a monthly libertarian magazine.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What cultural indicators does the author believe reflect the increase in teenage drug use"

2. According...