Question

What were the positive and negative consequences of prohibition?

Answer 1

Negative: The Noble Experiment led to increased use of illegal drugs. Bootleg alcohol was sometimes toxic and increasingly expensive. This led many drinkers to switch to opium, cocaine, hair tonic, sterno or “liquid heat,” and other dangerous substances. Thus, Prohibition popularized the use of illegal drugs.
Positive: Wife beating and lack of family support decreased 82%
Drunkenness decreased 55.3%
Assault decreased 53.1%
Vagrancy decreased 52.8%
Disorderly conduct decreased 51.5%
Delinquency decreased 50.0%
Deaths due to cirrhosis decreased 50.0%

Answer 2

Positive Consequence of Prohibition

- a decrease of domestic violence

Negative Consequence of Prohibition

- a rise in organized crime associated with the illegal production and sale of alcohol, an increase in smuggling, and a decline in tax revenue