1. What is the World Health Organization definition of drug abuse? Why does Szasz maintain that this definition is a moraIjudgment rather than a medical or technical judgment?

   2. According to Szasz, what "propaganda" is used by proponents of the disease model of addiction to justify the prohibition of drug use?

 3. Why does Szasz reject the prohibition argument that some drugs are dangerous?

   4. According to Szasz, why do people become addicted? Why does Szasz reject the prohibition argument that drug addiction is different from addiction to other substances and stimuli?

   5. According to Szasz, what are the primary reasons people take drugs? Which of these reasons is identified with "drug abuse"?

   6. Why, according to Szasz, is there so much opposition to the concept of free trade in drugs?

 7. What arguments does Szasz use to support his position for the legalization of drugs?

   8. On what grounds does Szasz: argue that the "right of self-medication" is a fundamental right? Should there be any limitations on this right, and, if so, what are some possible limitations?

 9. Why does Szasz support the prohibition of drug and alcohol sales to minors?

   10. What are the two principal methods of legitimizing policy in the United States? How have these two methods been used to legitimize the prohibition of drugs?

   11. On what grounds does Szasz: reject the current medical concept of drug abuse and drug treatment programs?

 12. According to Szasz, why are we in need of a "medical reformation"?

   13. On what grounds does Szasz argue that we have a constitutional right to use drugs and alcohol?

 14. How does Szasz use John Stuart Mill's philosophy to support his position?
 

 Discussion Questions

   1. What, according to Szasz, are some of the myths surrounding the notion of drug addiction? Would an advocate of the disease model of addiction agree that these are myths?

   2. Do you agree with Szasz that people under eighteen or twenty-one are not mature enough to use drugs and alcohol? Is Szasz being logically consistent or is he using doublethink in his rejection of legal access to drugs and alcohol for teenagers? If it is wrong for children to use certain "dangerous" drugs, why isn't it also wrong for adults to use the same drugs? Should "immature" adults who abuse drugs and alcohol also be legally prohibited from using these substances? Support your answers.

   3. Szasz rejects appeal to social tradition as a method of legitimizing public policy. Is he also committing the fallacy of appeal to tradition when he argues that we have a constitutional right to use drugs? Or can his argument for a "right of self-medication~' stand without appeal to the Constitution? Support your answers.

   4. Moonshining-the illegal production and sale of distilled spirits-is an underground art in some rural parts of the Atlantic provinces in Canada. Although moonshiners are not about to put the government liquor stores out of business, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have been receiving a growing number of tips about the whereabouts of illegal stills, as well as complaints from public-spirited neighbors. Do laws that prohibit moonshining violate the right of citizens to exercise control over their own lives? Support your answer. Discuss how Szasz would respond to this question.