• Question: Should alcohol become illegal after all the alcohol related deaths and serious injures or is it too big a part of modern society today?

    Asked by elliesmith to Damien, Rachael, Simon, Suzi, Tim on 16 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      Hi @elliesmith
      Great question!
      Scientists don’t really have any say in what’s legal or illegal. The Government makes these decisions, and although it consults scientists, it doesn’t always act on their advice.

      If alcohol was discovered today, it would be made illegal. It also costs the UK economy a LOT of money every year due to injuries, and diseases that result from long term alcohol use.

      However, I think you’re right, it’s such a big part of modern society I don’t think any Government would dare to make it illegal – there would be an outcry!

      Some research has suggested that a small amount of alcohol is good for you, however, I’ve worked in this area a little bit and unfortunately I think it’s more likely that there was a mistake in the design of these experiments and that actually there is no health benefit. I hope I’m wrong though!

      Hope this answers your question 🙂

    • Photo: Rachael Ward

      Rachael Ward answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      Hi elliesmith

      I agree, it would be so difficult and complicated to make alcohol illegal now that I dont think the government would try. Also, it would still be available if people wanted to smuggle it in, especially if it wasnt made illegal in nearby countries such as Ireland or France. Many countries have tried to make alcohol illegal in the past and it has often just fueled underground, organised and widespread criminal activity. You can read about what happened when America tried it here:
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_in_the_United_States

      Youre right though, it is a very dangerous drug and people should take it a lot more seriously than they do now. A lot of the people I work with who have brain injuries have them because of accidents they had when they were drunk or because the alcohol has actually permanently damaged their brains.

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