Gantos noted while on the boat that he didn't feel what he was doing was wrong, although he did fear punishment. His end goal was to earn money for college. Do you think Gantos' end justified his means? Why or why not? Do you think those who help to smuggle drugs are as responsible for the drug problem as those who sell it, and those who grow it? Why or why not? Do you think people like Gantos should be given a lighter sentence? Why or why not?

When Gantos landed himself in federal prison, he had a fairly severe drug addiction. Do you think prison helped Gantos? Do you think he would have ended up with writing as a career had he not been to prison? Do you think he would have succeeded in college, had he not been caught? Why or why...