Prohibition Vs. Drug War
“The Great Experiment” or better known as the prohibition of alcohol was enacted into law in the 1920’s. This event is referred to as an experiment because in reality, prohibition was a test to see if illegalizing alcohol bettered the nation as a whole. Statistically the experiment was successful, crime rate was lowered and accidents were reduced. However, because of the extreme measures citizens were taking to avoid enforcement of the law, the law was repealed. Even though the illegalization of drugs in the United States still stands today, many citizens do not obey the laws put into place. The similarity between the two events besides the fact that both are or were made illegal to the public, is the fact that both substances make you feel good. Many individuals and groups as well believe that if you are living in a free country like the United States, the home of the land and the free, there should be no laws preventing you from controlling what…show more content… In the 1920’s, an era of great change, many argued that the consumption alcohol promoted violence and crime and hurt the wellbeing of the nation as a whole. As a result, Congress passed the 18th amendment on January 16, 1919. The amendment stated “the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited (18th Amendment).” Even with The law against it a large number of citizens still continued to buy, sell and consume alcohol. The health risks with consuming alcohol were alarming at the time and the consumption has similar effects that some drugs have on users as well. The most alarming is alcohol poisoning and the idea of death upon one misuse. However, with so many people breaking the law, it became an unwinnable war when it came to enforcing