Joshua Wolf Shenk

In the following viewpoint, Joshua Wolf Shenk argues that drugs should be legalized in order to eradicate the illegal drug trade and the violent crime associated with it. Violence among rival drug gangs would be eliminated if drugs were available legally, says the author, and nonviolent drug users would not be deemed criminals. He maintains that drugs should be legalized but their availability should be severely restricted, as is the case with tobacco and alcohol. In addition, the government should continue to sponsor antidrug programs, Shenk contends. Shenk is a contributing editor for the Washington Monthly.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How do the sentences of nonviolent drug users and dealers compare with those of violent felons, according to Shenk?
2. In Shenk’s opinion, why are alcohol and...