Critical Reasoning

Just over ten years ago, Regnalia, a developed, financially secure, and liberal-minded country, implemented controversial legislation, despite pleas by neighboring nations, allowing the use, sale, and ownership of certain recreational drugs in accordance with various restrictions. Although the passing of the new laws resulted in Regnalia's gradual transformation into an international trading hub for illegal merchandise and services, the country reports drastic drops in the incidents of crime and drug abuse by its youths.

Which of the following, if true, best resolves the above paradox?

A) The implementation of the legislature regarding a certain lenience towards the consumption of specific intoxicating substances in Regnalia was performed through well-paced democratic procedures.

B) In countries where all drugs are illegal, youths are no less attracted to them although to buy them they are forced to interact with retailers who, in such circumstances, are always linked to organized crime syndicates in order to be able to obtain goods.

C) In contradiction to previous misconceptions, youths involved in crime or in drug abuse do not necessarily originate from homes suffering from extreme cases of social or economic hardship.

D) It would be false to state that the Regnalian officials responsible for enforcing its drug policy and for punishing those who cross the laws' clear boundaries are not endowed with sufficient power and freedom of operation to effectively combat the country's illegal activities.

E) The influx of people dealing in illegal trade into the country gave Regnalia the reputation of being a centre for unmitigated recreation, drawing the attention of younger people tempted by promises of exciting and previously unknown experiences.

OA B

Source: Economist Gmat