Worksheet4:  Evaluating the Public Policy

 

Date: March 17, 2010   Group Members: R.Smith, N.Jones, G.Green, E.Lee

 

Your problem (phrase):           Increased alcohol usage from 1980—1920

 

 

1.               State the major existing policy that attempted to deal with the social problem:

In 1919, the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol in the United States.

 

2.               What were the advantages of this policy (consider effectiveness, consequences, costs, enforcement, public acceptance):

 

For several years after the 18th Amendment was enacted, the consumption of alcohol decreased by about 30%, and also crime related to alcohol use decreased. 

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1924: 55, during the first two years under Prohibition, deaths related to alcoholism dramatically decreased compared to the years prior to Prohibition.  In 1916 and 1917, they were 5.8 and 5.2 per 100,000 adults respectively; in 1919 and 1920, they were 1.6 and 1.0 per 100,000 respectively.

 

3.         What were the disadvantages of this policy?  (consider effectiveness, consequences, costs, enforcement, public acceptance):

 

By the mid to late 1920’s, alcohol use was higher than it had been prior to prohibition for people ignored the law.

Law enforcement could not get the support of the government they needed for an all-out enforcement campaign

The manufacture of illegal alcohol grew rapidly every year, ranging from organized crime to rural farmers

There was very little public support for strong enforcement of Prohibition.

 

4.      Based on your evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages, should a different policy have been implemented?  Explain.

 

In April 1933, the 21st Amendment repealed Prohibiton.  We think this was a good policy because Prohibition did not have any support and could not be enforced.  We think it is also a good policy that now the drinking age has been reduced to 18.  Also, we think the federal government should provide more money to states to expand education programs about the harmful effects of alcohol