Andy Wylie's letter to the editor questions my belief regarding the necessity of decriminalization of drugs in order to effectively combat drug addiction and its associated ills. The case for drug decriminalization stems from the fact that the government of a free nation has no justification for prohibiting a person from doing what he/she wishes with their own body, even if it is harmful. Recognition of individual rights includes recognizing people's right to make bad decisions that are potentially deleterious. Moreover, there is no logical reason to permit the sales of alcohol and cigarettes but not other substances, to which James Matson, in his posts, alludes. It is paradoxical to A secondary case can be made regarding the violence associated with drug sales. The violence is engendered because, currently, drug sales are on the black market where no enforcement of purchasing agreements is possible. The only recourse people have to disagreements is violence because one can not call the police because they were defrauded in a drug transaction. Also, the cost of drugs incorporates a risk premium because of their illegal status which drives the price higher, attracting organized crime to the trade, as detailed in Paul Yost's post. European nations, which Mr. Wylie ignores, have not experienced the doomsday scenario he projects that occurs with decriminalization.