Suppose the price elasticity of demand for cocaine is -0.5. What will happen to the equilibrium price, quantity, and total revenue from cocaine sales if the government succeeds in its efforts to reduce demand? What is likely to happen to the incentive to sell cocaine?
Suppose the government continues to concentrate its efforts on supply reduction and is able to reduce the supply of cocaine. As a result of the reduction in supply the price of cocaine increases by 25 percent. If the price elasticity of demand is -0.5, what is likely to happen to the incentive to sell cocaine?
Based on your answers, explain why one approach might be preferred over the other.