Bunuel
Opponents of the laws prohibiting nonprescription narcotic drugs argue that in a free society, people have the right to take risks as long as the risks do not constitute a harm to others who have not elected to take such risks. These opponents conclude that it should be each person’s decision whether or not to use narcotic drugs.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the conclusion drawn above?
A. Some narcotic drugs have been shown to have medicinal qualities.
B. There are laws that govern the use of prescription drugs.
C. Studies have shown that people who use nonprescription drugs are much more likely to perpetrate a violent crime when intoxicated than when sober.
D. People who use narcotic drugs are twice as likely to die of an overdose as of natural causes.
E. The rate of drug overdoses is higher in countries that do not have laws governing the use of narcotic drugs than in countries that do have such laws.
There is a law which seeks to prohibit the use of nonprescription narcotic drugs. But, the opponents of this law, argue that in a free society, there exists free will and freedom of choice, without any restrictions. Until unless their freedom doesn’t hamper the freedom of others.
So, they conclude by saying, the usage of drugs should be the individual choices of the person using it.
We need to weaken this statement mentioned above.
A. Some narcotic drugs have been shown to have medicinal qualities.
The option speaks about some narcotic drugs, but the question in place is non prescription drugs. The statement might be true, when the quantity of consumption is defined. Non prescription narcotic drugs are not prescribed by the doctor for medicinal use, and it’s not available OTC ( over the counter). Hence, wrong as it doesn’t weaken the conclusion.
B. There are laws that govern the use of prescription drugs.
This is a factual statement. There might be laws which are in use, which might cover a list of drugs allowed to be prescribed. But, the question is speaking about non prescription narcotic drugs. Hence, wrong.
C. Studies have shown that people who use nonprescription drugs are much more likely to perpetrate a violent crime when intoxicated than when sober.The options speaks about the exception clause - when freedom of choice, free will have hampered the freedom of another individual. Intoxication due to non prescription drugs have a higher likelihood of people indulging in violent crimes, which might eventually affect the freedom of the community in general. Hence, Correct.
D. People who use narcotic drugs are twice as likely to die of an overdose as of natural causes.
The question is not with respect to overdose deaths vs deaths due to natural cause. Hence, wrong.
E. The rate of drug overdoses is higher in countries that do not have laws governing the use of narcotic drugs than in countries that do have such laws.
The option speaks about drug overdoses and laws pertaining to it across two different countries. But, the question does not speak about overdoses, not about the countries laws which are in place. The main crux is the view point of opponents of the law, and their conclusion. We need to find a way to weaken their conclusion. This option doesn’t work for it. Hence, wrong.
Option C