After some individual States of the United States prohibited the sale of consumption of alcohol at various periods during the 19th century and the early 20th century a countrywide ban on making importing or selling it was made the 18th amendment of the American Constitution in 1917.

There were many sections of society that did not support this move and especially in the big cities gangsters became very rich and powerful by supplying people with alcoholic drinks. Because they became so rich they often were able to bribe the police who acted as their protectors. Many powerful politicians were seen frequenting their bars called "speak-eases"
and they also formed powerful protection for these gangsters, who often cause mayhem by fighting each other to keep control of this lucrative trade in illegal liquor.

The amendment was finally repealed in 1933 after 16 years. Unfortunately the gangs that had grown up under Prohibition were able to adapt to other criminal activities and now they are very much involved in supplying other forms of illegal drugs and prostitution.

Although this "Prohibition" did reduce the consumption of alcohol it did not stop it by any means. Many people considered it a great intrusion into their traditional way of life and it greatly increase the power and wealth of the organised criminal world. Indeed it caused much violence and corruption of the police forces in the major cities.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS?

• Does making certain drugs illegal make it more or less easy to control them? Why?


• Do you think that certain drugs are illegal makes it less likely that you would use them? What about others?


• What are the disadvantages making drugs illegal?


• On balance what do you think ? Should certain drugs remain illegal?