During prohibition in the united states the u s government poisoned alcohol

During Prohibition in the United States, the U.S. government poisoned alcohol.

The era of Prohibition in the United States, which lasted from 1920 to 1933, was a time when the production, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages were strictly prohibited. However, despite the ban, the demand for alcohol remained high, leading to the rise of illegal alcohol trade. To discourage people from drinking and to deter bootleggers, the U.S. government took a drastic and controversial measure by poisoning alcohol.

During this dark period of American history, the government made an attempt to curb illegal alcohol consumption by mandating the addition of toxic chemicals to industrial alcohol, which is unsuitable for human consumption. Industrial alcohol, also known as denatured alcohol, is ethanol made unfit for drinking by the inclusion of substances such as methanol or kerosene. It was intended solely for industrial use.

To sabotage the illegal alcohol market, the government required manufacturers to add even more potent poisons, including methanol, formaldehyde, and gasoline, to the denatured alcohol. The idea behind this strategy was that if people consumed these poisonous substances, it would act as a deterrent and discourage them from purchasing the illegal alcohol.

Unfortunately, this ill-conceived plan had devastating consequences. Instead of stopping the consumption of illegal alcohol, poisoning alcohol led to a deadly wave of health emergencies. Many individuals resorted to obtaining bootlegged alcohol, completely unaware of the dangerous substances lurking within. These toxic additives caused severe health issues, including blindness and death.

The government’s attempt to poison alcohol was highly controversial and faced intense criticism. Many argued that it was a violation of basic human rights, as it put innocent lives at risk. The toxic alcohols caused an estimated 10,000 deaths during Prohibition, while many more suffered permanent damage due to poisoning.

Despite the failure and the human toll, the government continued poisoning alcohol until Prohibition was repealed in 1933. When the ban on alcohol was finally lifted, the poisoning practice ceased.

Today, the story of how the U.S. government poisoned alcohol during Prohibition remains a little-told part of history. It serves as a stark reminder of the unintended consequences of misguided policies.

Source: Slate.com