“Palcohol,” powdered alcohol, has initially been approved
for consumer use by the Food and Drug Administration. Similar to Gatorade or
Ice Tea, the powder can be added to liquid, or showered on food, but also
snorted to feel the full affects of an alcoholic beverage.
State Senator Tim Carpenter plans to introduce a bill to
ban the sale of powdered alcohol in Wisconsin. Carpenter says, "The
potential for abuse is simply unacceptable."
Criticism is coming from many substance abuse groups
across the nation. "Like alcohol-laced energy drinks, this appears to be
another attempt to market alcohol irresponsibly to young people. Add to this
the fact that Wisconsin is the only state in the nation where the first OWI is
not a crime, and you are mixing a dangerous cocktail with powered alcohol. It
took several tragic deaths before alcohol laced energy drinks were pulled off
the market. I don't think we need to wait for a similar tragedy and we should
ban the powdered alcohol,” says Carpenter.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism, Wisconsin is the 8th highest in the nation per capita in alcohol
consumption.
Palcohol.com states that, “A package of Palcohol is 4" x
6".... almost five times bigger than a 50ml bottle of liquid alcohol so
Palcohol is much harder to conceal.” The site also states that it is not any
more dangerous than liquid alcohol, but will be sold only to individuals 21 and
up.
